Tuning of efficient energy storage and fast switching capability in La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore nanoparticles mediated by Gd-substitution

Abstract

Electrostatic capacitors are widely investigated to fulfill the energy storage demand and their utilization in microelectronic devices. The efficient energy storage capabilities of pyrochlores with less loss factor make them eminent in energy storage contesters. Here we synthesized a series of La2-xGdxZr2O7 with x = 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 substitution contents via the sol-gel auto-combustion process. The substitution of Gd on the La site compresses the pyrochlore structure without any phase transformation which leads to an increase in the X-ray density. A gradual decrease in grain size with an increase in substitution contents causes the increase in surface adhesion and agglomeration. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectra confirm the formation of exact compositions for all the samples. The energy storage capability of the synthesized series is examined by the PE loop, leakage current, PUND sequence, and normalized capacitance. An increase in energy storage abilities is noted with an increase in Gd concentration. The small value of energy loss, the highest recoverable energy density with a larger value of effective and normalized capacitance is recorded for Gd1.6La0.4Zr2O7 composition which exposed the potential of this composition for microelectronics devices to fulfill the energy storage demand.