High Energy Storage Efficiency Research Articles

Improved high temperature energy storage density and efficiency of polyimide nanocomposites via hindering charge and molecular motions

Electric vehicles and renewable energy consumption have huge demands for high-performance polymer dielectric capacitors. However, the resistivity and breakdown strength of existing polymer dielectrics deteriorate significantly at high temperatures, reducing the energy storage density and charge-discharge efficiency of capacitors below service requirements. The charge transport and molecular chain motion characteristics in linear polymers determine their conductivity, breakdown, and energy storage properties, but the quantitative relationship between them is not clear. An in-situ polymerization method was used to prepare polyimide/Al2O3 nanocomposites (PI/Al2O3 PNCs). Experimental results show that the resistivity, breakdown strength, energy storage density, and charge-discharge efficiency of PNCs increase initially and then decrease with increasing doping content, peaking at 3 wt%. The discharged energy density of PI/Al2O3-3 wt% PNCs at 180°C is 207.52 % higher than pure PI. A conductance-breakdown-energy storage co-simulation model based on charge transport and molecular chain displacement was used to simulate the voltage-current, breakdown, and energy storage characteristics of PNCs. The simulation results are consistent with the experiments. Comparative studies between simulation and experiments show that the independent interface zone between nanofillers and PI hinders charge transport and molecular chain movement, reducing electric field distortion and molecular chain spacing, thereby improving high-temperature breakdown and energy storage performance of PNCs.

Electronic modulation of MOF-derived CoxMnyB nanosheet arrays toward efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting

The design of robust and efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for total water splitting is of paramount importance for the advancement of sustainable energy conversion technologies. To fully exploit the electrocatalytic capabilities of transition metal borides, we integrate manganese-incorporated cobalt boride (CoxMnyB) nanoarrays derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). CoxMnyB nanosheet arrays exhibit pronounced electronic modulation, indicating superior electrochemical behavior. CoxMnyB can served as a binder-free catalytic electrode, which exhibits bifunctional electrocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). CoxMnyB demonstrates an overpotential ∼ 277 mV under 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 71 mV dec-1 for HER. It also exhibits optimised OER characteristics, with a potential of 1.54 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and the lowest Tafel slope of 62 mV dec-1. CoxMnyB catalysts emerge as promising candidates for bifunctional electrocatalysts in overall water splitting, delivering remarkable and enduring electrocatalytic functionalities. The intricate mechanisms governing the electrocatalytic performance of the CoxMnyB bifunctional catalyst are systematically discussed in relation to nanostructure, conductive behavior, and the covalent bonding nature of metal-metalloid borides. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal a reduced hydrogen binding energy at the catalyst surface and a weakened energy barrier of OOH*. This study suggests a favourable and feasible pathway for deploying metal borides in high-efficiency electrocatalysis and energy storage applications.

High energy storage performance in BTO-based ferroelectric films

Dielectric capacitors play an increasingly important role in modern electronic power systems due to their ultrahigh charging and discharging speeds and power density. Much research has focused on enhancing dielectric breakdown strength to achieve better energy storage performance; however, this increases the potential for heat generation and unexpected insulation failures, thereby affecting the stability and lifespan of devices. This study introduces a small amount of Na+ dopants at the A-site of BaTiO3, inducing lattice distortions and enhancing local polarization to increase energy storage density rather than through enhancing breakdown strength. The introduction of Na+ enhances the ferroelectric properties, with polar nano-regions (PNRs) gradually evolving into long-range ordered large domains. In the Ba0.985Na0.015TiO3 films, the coexistence and coupling of abundant PNRs with a few long-range ordered ferroelectric domains result in high saturation polarization and low residual polarization. At a moderate electric field of 2.3 MV cm−1, an ultrahigh energy density of 44.3 J cm−3 and a high energy storage efficiency of 78.6 % were obtained. Additionally, the film exhibits excellent frequency stability (100 Hz-20 kHz), temperature stability (30–180 °C), fatigue resistance (107 cycles), and high pulsed discharge energy density, along with great thermal stability. This work provides new insights into achieving exceptional energy storage performance in single-phase films.

Flexible High‐Temperature Polymer Dielectrics Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation for High Efficient Energy Storage

AbstractPolymer‐based dielectrics with fast electrostatic energy storage and release, are crucial for advanced electronics and power systems. However, the deterioration of insulation performance and charge–discharge efficiency of polymer dielectrics at elevated temperatures and high electric fields hinder the applications of capacitors in harsh environments. Herein, a facile and scalable approach is reported to fabricating flexible high‐temperature polymer dielectrics for high‐efficiency energy storage by ultraviolet irradiation. The resultant dielectric films exhibit an augment of 493% in energy density and exceeding 800% in discharge efficiency at 200 °C (3.2 J cm−3 and over 90% discharge efficiency at 480 M V−1m for irradiated polyetherimide (PEI), 0.54 J cm−3, and below 10% discharge efficiency at 400 MV m−1 for pristine PEI) and excellent cycle performance. The injected space charge is found to be the dominant contributor to energy loss during the charge–discharge process. Free radicals introduced by ultraviolet irradiation can act as deep traps to capture injected charge and suppress space charge migration. This work clarifies the contribution of space charge to energy loss and demonstrates the effectiveness of ultraviolet irradiation in improving the capacitive performance of high‐temperature polymer dielectrics. These findings provide a novel paradigm for the rational design of high‐temperature polymer dielectrics for high‐efficiency energy storage.

Optimal allocation of wind power hybrid energy storage capacity based on ant colony optimization algorithm

Renewable energy sources, such as wind power, face challenges owing to their erratic construction and intermittent nature, leading to the emergence of energy storage strategies to achieve grid stability and reliable electricity supplies. Determination of the correct size of energy storage devices for wind power plants is complicated. In this study, the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is proposed for the best distribution/sizing of wind-generated hybrid storage capacity. Ants’ foraging habits motivate the development of wind turbines with high dependability, high efficiency and low energy storage costs. A study is conducted to confirm the practicality of the proposed method, using real data from a wind power plant to calculate the contrast between wind energy production and load consumption features, to influence the appropriate quantity for energy storage organization. The study demonstrates that the ACO approach provides precise and efficient solutions for determining the optimal energy distribution in wind power plants.

Enhanced ultra-high efficiency in high-energy–density PbHfO3-based antiferroelectric ceramics through synergistic effect design

PbHfO3-based antiferroelectric materials with the giant power density and ultrafast charge–discharge performance have exhibited the potential application in advanced pulsed power microelectronic devices. Nevertheless, the huge challenge of the large driving field of the AFE-FE phase transition (EAFE-FE) accompanied by the poor breakdown electric strength (Eb) still exists up to now and further becomes a key bottleneck restricting the simultaneous realization of high energy storage density and efficiency. Hence, we report the synergistic effect to combine the tailor ABO3 perovskite structure for minimizing the electric hysteresis and increasing bandgap width to obtain the ultrahigh Eb. Rietveld refinements of the XRD patterns and Raman spectra experiments that demonstrate the average electronegativity and a redshift with the elevated Sr content attributable to enhancing bonding energy of cation-O bonds and antipolar ordering in crystalline structure, effectively resulting in stability of the PbHfO3-based antiferroelectric structure. Meanwhile, a ultrahigh Eb of 450 kV/cm is achieved owing to optimizing the average grain size and widening bandgap width. A remarkable energy storage density of 7.29 J/cm3 and record-high energy storage efficiency of 96.40 % are achieved via synergistic effect in (Pb0.93La0.02Sr0.04)(Hf0.475Sn0.475Ti0.05)O3 (PLS4HST) ceramics under respective maximum applied field. In addition, large power density of 173.40 MW/cm3 and excellent discharge energy density of 4.90 J/cm3 as well as fast discharge rate of 166.90 ns and superior frequency stability (1 ∼ 140 Hz), along with outstanding thermal stability (25 ∼ 150°C), have been simultaneously presented in PLS4HST ceramic. These results provide a good paradigm by synergistic effect designing for exploring high-performance dielectrics to meet the demanding requirements of advanced pulsed power electronic devices.

Synergistic advancements with Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx electrodes in bisolvent-in-salt (BSiS) electrolytes for supercapacitor and hydrogen evolution reaction

Supercapacitors are promising technologies for exceptionally efficient energy storage and power control, making them a crucial and significant field of global technical progress. In this research, we designed an electrode material by combining Mn-MOF with Nb2CTx MXene. At 1.5 A g−1, the Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx electrode has 900 C g−1 specific capacity. This performance underscores its potential for high-efficiency energy storage applications. Supercapacitor Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx had a 1500 W kg−1 power density and 52 Wh kg−1 energy density. Following 12,000 cycles, the Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx fabricated electrodes retain 96.4% capacity retention and 89.3% of its coulombic efficiency. This work uses experimental studies to describe the representative uses of Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx-based electrocatalysts for the HER. The methods for enhancing the catalytic efficiency of MXenes in the application of HER are illustrated, including the optimization of active sites through termination modification and the introduction of Mn-MOF, as well as the enhancement of active sites through the fabrication of different nanostructures. The issues associated with and the possibility of Mn-MOF/Nb2CTx electrocatalysts are also discussed. This research is an example of the future improvement of novel and effective electrocatalysts based on MXenes for hydrogen production using water-splitting technology.

Quasi-Solid-State Na-O2 Battery with Composite Polymer Electrolyte.

Na-O2 batteries have emerged as promising candidates due to their high theoretical energy density (1,601 Wh kg-1), the potential for high energy storage efficiency, and the abundance of sodium in the earth's crust. Considering the safety issue, quasi-solid-state composite polymer electrolytes are among the promising solid-state electrolyte candidates. Their higher mechanical toughness provides superior resistance to dendritic penetration compared with traditional liquid electrolytes. The flexibility of the composite polymer electrolyte matrix allows it to conform to various battery configurations and considerably reduces safety concerns related to the combustion risks associated with conventional liquid electrolytes. In this study, we employed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI) as the polymer matrix and sodium ion-conducting agent, respectively. We incorporated nanosized NZSP (25 wt %) to create the composite polymer electrolyte membrane. This CPE design facilitates ion conduction pathways through both sodium salt and NZSP. By utilizing a liquid electrolyte infiltration method, we successfully enhanced its ionic conductivity, achieving an ionic conductivity of 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature.

Uniform potassium metal deposition under fast ion transportation kinetic: Porous carbon nanotube/metal–organic frameworks composite host

Potassium Metal Batteries (KMBs) are emerging as favorable candidates for next-generation high-efficiency energy storage technologies, due to their impressive specific capacity, low redox potential, and the abundance of K. Nevertheless, challenges such as dendrite growth and considerable volume expansion have been hindering in their commercial utilization. Herein, a lightweight and self-supporting flexible three-dimensional (3D) composite host with porous metal–organic frameworks and carbon-nanotube (CNT@ZIF-8) is developed. The unique design of CNT@ZIF-8 composite host offers a multitude of potassiophilic N/Zn active nuleation sites, extensive surface area, and a porous structure. These features play a pivotal role in the management of K transport dynamics, facilitating K+ prestoring and predistribution. Benefiting from the narrowed concentration polarization and uniform nucleation, a dendrite-free K metal anode is constructed. The K@CNT@ZIF-8 anode demonstrates a remarkable durability, operating for 3200 h under 0.35 mA cm−2 and 0.35 mAh·cm−2 conditions, while also maintaining stability over 650 h at 1.0 mA cm−2 and 1.0 mAh·cm−2. Additionally, the full cell of PTCDA||K@CNT@ZIF-8 variant exhibits a boosted cycling stability (88 mAh g−1 at 5 C after 1000 cycles) and rate performance (98 mAh g−1 at 20 C). The results underscore the immense potential of CNT@ZIF-8 in facilitating practical applications for energy storage.

Enhanced comprehensive energy storage properties in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics under a moderate electric field

Bismuth sodium titanate (Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3)-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics have received ever-increasing interest for their potential application in dielectric capacitors owing to their sterling energy storage capability. Herein, the perovskite end-member Ba(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 (BFN) was incorporated into 0.7Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.3SrTiO3 (0.7BNT-0.3ST) ceramics to improve the relaxor characteristics and refine the grain, leading to slim polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops and enhanced electric breakdown strength. Particularly, the 0.85(0.7BNT-0.3ST)-0.15BFN ceramics achieved a high recoverable energy density of 5.7 J/cm3 and a high energy storage efficiency of 86.4% under a moderate electric field of 390 kV/cm. Additionally, remarkable stability in frequency, cycling, and temperature and excellent charge/discharge behavior were achieved at the same time. The above findings reveal that BFN-modified BNT-ST ceramics display greatly improved comprehensive energy storage properties, making them promising candidates in the field of electrostatic energy storage.

Molecular Photoelectrochemical Energy Storage Materials for Coupled Solar Batteries.

ConspectusSolar-to-electrochemical energy storage is one of the essential solar energy utilization pathways alongside solar-to-electricity and solar-to-chemical conversion. A coupled solar battery enables direct solar-to-electrochemical energy storage via photocoupled ion transfer using photoelectrochemical materials with light absorption/charge transfer and redox capabilities. Common photoelectrochemical materials face challenges due to insufficient solar spectrum utilization, which restricts their redox potential window and constrains energy conversion efficiency. In contrast, molecular photoelectrochemical energy storage materials are promising for their mechanism of exciton-involved redox reaction that allows for extra energy utilization from hot excitons generated by superbandgap excitation and localized heat after absorption of sub-bandgap photons. This enables more efficient redox reactions with a less restricted redox potentials window and, thus, better utilization of the full solar spectrum. Despite these advantages, practical application remains elusive due to the mismatch between the short lifetime of the charge separation state (<ns) and the slower redox reaction rate (>μs). This mismatch results in a significant portion of the photogenerated charges recombining before participating in desired electrochemical energy storage reactions, leading to diminished overall efficiency. It is therefore highly important to develop molecular materials with intrinsic prolonged charge separation state and extrinsic effective mass-electron transfer to enable efficient coupled solar batteries for practical applications.In this Account, we begin with an introduction of the general solar-to-electrochemical energy storage concept based on molecular photoelectrochemical energy storage materials, highlighting the advantages of periodic oxidative donor-reductive acceptor porous aggregate structures that have synergistic implications on charge separation state lifetime extension and mass-electron transfer. We then present our earliest trial on the design and application of molecular photoelectrochemical energy storage materials, which stimulated our subsequent studies on tuning electron donor and acceptor structures for enhanced charge separation and diverse photoelectrochemical redox reactions. Moreover, we introduce the best practices in the design and assembly of various coupled solar battery devices, along with our literature contributions and progresses in solar-to-electrochemical energy storage efficiency (ηSES) over nearly the past decade. Finally, we conclude by highlighting the universality of our strategies as essential design principles, spanning from regulating long-lived charge separation states and photocoupled ion transfer processes in molecular materials to the construction of efficient coupled solar batteries. We offer perspectives on the synergy between photovoltage and redox potentials and the practical significance of 3D printing, providing key evaluation indicators for large-scale application. This Account provides molecular level insights for the construction of high-efficiency photoelectrochemical energy storage materials and guidance for practical solar-to-electrochemical energy storage applications.

Antiferroelectric domain modulation enhancing energy storage performance by phase-field simulations

Antiferroelectric materials represented by PbZrO3(PZO) have excellent energy storage performance and are expected to be candidates for dielectric capacitors. It remains a challenge to further enhance the effective energy storage density and efficiency of PZO-based antiferroelectric films through domain engineering. In this work, the effects of three variables, misfit strain between the thin film and substrate, defect dipoles doping, and film thickness, on the domain structure and energy storage performance of PZO-based antiferroelectric materials are comprehensively investigated via phase-field simulations. The results show that applying tensile strain to the films can effectively increase the transition electric field from antiferroelectric to ferroelectric. In addition, the introduction of defect dipoles while applying tensile strain can significantly reduce the hysteresis and improve energy storage efficiency. Ultimately, a recoverable energy density of 38.3 J/cm3 and an energy storage efficiency of about 89.4% can be realized at 1.5% tensile strain and 2% defect dipole concentration. Our work provides a new idea for the preparation of antiferroelectric thin films with high energy storage density and efficiency by domain engineering modulation.

Excellent energy storage properties in ZrO2 toughened Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3-based relaxor ferroelectric ceramics via multi-scale synergic regulation

Lead-free ceramic capacitors offer ultrahigh power density and ultrafast discharging rates, making them critical energy storage components for advanced pulsed power systems. However, the greatest obstacle to broader applications remains the relatively low energy storage density. In this study, a relaxor ferroelectric ceramic based on (0.6-x)Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3-0.4Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-xSrZrO3 ((0.6-x)BST-0.4BNT-xSZ) is prepared using the tape casting method, resulting in an excellent energy density (Wrec ≈ 10.0 J cm−3) and high energy storage efficiency (η ≈ 91 %). The solid solution of linear dielectrics SrZrO3 synergistically regulates both relaxor properties and breakdown strength. The variation of relaxor property was explored utilizing New Glass model and the multi-polarization model, with confirmation provided by piezoresponse force microscopy. Furthermore, the breakdown strength could be attributed to improvements in electric insulation and the widening of the bandgap. As SrZrO3 content increases, the in-situ emergence of the second phase ZrO2, accompanied by a martensitic transformation, not only improves the fracture toughness of ceramics but also serves to elongate the breakdown path. Encouragingly, x = 0.20 ceramics also achieve excellent temperature stability (−95–125 ℃), frequency stability (1–1000 Hz), cycling reliability (1–106 cycles), and great charging-discharging properties. This multiscale synergic regulation strategy plays a guiding role in the screening of high-performance energy storage dielectric materials.

A study on novel dual-functional photothermal material for high-efficient solar energy harvesting and storage

The solar-heat storage efficiency of devices based on phase change materials (PCMs) is limited due to the light absorption and internal heat transfer within the PCMs, unclear thermal conductivity-enhancement mechanism within nanocomposite PCMs, and uncontrollable photothermal-interface modulation. Therefore, a novel controllable strategy was proposed in this study to fabricate dual-functional photothermal storage three-dimensional (3D) phase change blocks (PCBs) with higher thermal conductivity (27.98 W/m·K) and spectral absorption (98.03 %) compared to those of most previously reported PCM-based devices. The as-synthesized PCBs contained millimeter-sized graphite plates with horizontal Van der Waals bonds and oriented micro/nanoscale graphite nanosheets. The structural properties of thin PCM layers between the PCB sheets have synergistically reduced the internal interfacial thermal resistance of the PCBs. Laser-controllable induction was used to fabricate integrated biomimetic-forest 3D optical absorbers on the high thermal conductivity interface of the PCBs, which significantly reduced the thermal resistance of the optical-thermal interface. The resulting 3D-PCBs, integrated with thermoelectric generators, powered portable electronic devices, expanding the applications of traditional PCM heat-storage devices. Therefore, this study will guide the future design of high-performance solar-thermal storage PCMs with a wide range of practical applications.

Achieving high energy storage density and efficiency in (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-based lead-free ceramics

Due to the demands of miniaturization, weight reduction and green development for electronic devices, development of lead-free dielectric ceramic capacitors with high recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy storage efficiency (η) attracts much attention. To this end, (1-x)[0.75(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.25SrTiO3]-xNdNbO4 (abbreviated as: NBST-xNN) ceramics were fabricated through a solid-state reaction method. After adding NN, the non-perovskite phase of Bi2Ti2O7 (BTO) with low dielectric constant (εr) and loss (tan δ) is generated. Finite element software (COMSOL) was used to explore the influence of the BTO phase on breakdown strength (Eb). The simulation result indicates that the BTO phase with a low εr concentrates a larger local electric field (LEF), and thus weakens the LEF loading in the main perovskite phase, which is beneficial for enhancing Eb. Moreover, NN doping significantly decreases the oxygen vacancy concentration in NBST ceramics, which plays a key role in improving Eb. On the other hand, as NN content increases, the hysteresis of the polarization (P)-electric field (E) loops is substantially suppressed, and the polarization saturation is delayed, which can be ascribed to the appearance of the BTO phase having a linear dielectric characteristic and to the enhanced fluctuations of composition and charge by NN doping. Benefitting from the above factors, the optimal energy storage performance (ESP) with a Wrec of 4.14 J/cm3 and an η of 90 % is obtained in NBST-0.08NN ceramics. Meanwhile, the ESP of NBST-0.08NN ceramics shows good charge-discharge properties and thermal stability. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that NBST-0.08NN ceramics are promising candidates as environment-friendly dielectric capacitor materials.

Surface plasma treatment boosting antiferroelectricity and energy storage performance of AgNbO3 film

The utilization of AgNbO3 film in dielectric energy storage poses challenges due to its susceptibility to impurity phase formation, which compromises its antiferroelectric properties and breakdown electric field. In this study, we successfully fabricated an AgNbO3 film with outstanding antiferroelectric properties and energy storage capabilities by employing oxygen ion surface plasma technology in conjunction with the sol-gel method. Our results demonstrate that the surface of the AgNbO3 film undergoes a layer-by-layer treatment using oxygen ion plasma, effectively suppressing impurity phases and oxygen vacancies formation while reducing grain size and enhancing insulation performance. The AgNbO3 film, which has undergone surface plasma treatment with oxygen ion, exhibits exceptional characteristics as an antiferroelectric material by demonstrating an impressive energy storage density of 13.13J/cm3 and a high energy storage efficiency of 56%. Overall, we present a straightforward and viable approach for fabricating high-performance AgNbO3 films for efficient dielectric energy storage.

(Sb0.5Li0.5)TiO3-Doping Effect and Sintering Condition Tailoring in BaTiO3-Based Ceramics.

(1-x)(Ba0.75Sr0.1Bi0.1)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3-x(Sb0.5Li0.5)TiO3 (abbreviated as BSBiTZ-xSLT, x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) ceramics were prepared via a conventional solid-state sintering method under different sintering temperatures. All BSBiTZ-xSLT ceramics have predominantly perovskite phase structures with the coexistence of tetragonal, rhombohedral and orthogonal phases, and present mainly spherical-like shaped grains relating to a liquid-phase sintering mechanism due to adding SLT and Bi2O3. By adjusting the sintering temperature, all compositions obtain the highest relative density and present densified micro-morphology, and doping SLT tends to promote the growth of grain size and the grain size distribution becomes nonuniform gradually. Due to the addition of heterovalent ions and SLT, typical relaxor ferroelectric characteristic is realized, dielectric performance stability is broadened to ~120 °C with variation less than 10%, and very long and slim hysteresis loops are obtained, which is especially beneficial for energy storage application. All samples show extremely fast discharge performance where the discharge time t0.9 (time for 90% discharge energy density) is less than 160 ns and the largest discharge current occurs at around 30 ns. The 1155 °C sintered BSBiTZ-0.025SLT ceramics exhibit rather large energy storage density, very high energy storage efficiency and excellent pulse charge-discharge performance, providing the possibility to develop novel BT-based dielectric ceramics for pulse energy storage applications.

Achieving high energy storage performance in PbHfO3-based antiferroelectric ceramics by Sr element doping

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics are the most promising material system for energy storage in dielectric capacitors due to their fast charging-discharging rate, good chemical stability, and high energy storage density. However, it is exceedingly challenging to simultaneously achieve the excellent recoverable energy density (Wre) and high energy storage efficiency (η) at present. In this work, (Pb0.925-xSrxLa0.05)(Hf0.95Ti0.05)O3 AFE ceramics with various Sr contents are fabricated by solid-state sintering processing. It has been found that Sr-doping in the A-site can significantly affect the microstructure, including reducing grain size and modulation period, effectively strengthening the antiferroelectricity, which is responsible for the improved energy storage performance. The high recoverable energy storage density of 10.2 J/cm3 is obtained at 560 kV/cm with an ultra-high efficiency of 93.0% in (Pb0.875Sr0.05La0.05)(Hf0.95Ti0.05)O3 ceramics. These features suggest that Sr-doped PbHfO3-based AFE ceramics can serve as promising candidates for capacitor materials, offering significant potential in the realm of energy storage applications.

Influence of sintering temperature on electrocaloric and energy storage properties of sol-gel derived lead-free BaHf0.20Ti0.80O3 ferroelectric ceramics for sustainable energy solutions

Ferroelectric materials have emerged as intriguing contenders for a variety of applications in the ongoing effort to look for sustainable energy solutions, including energy storage and solid-state cooling systems. In this work, a systematic investigation has been conducted on the microstructural, dielectric, electrocaloric, and energy storage characteristics of sol-gel elaborated BaHf0.20Ti0.80O3 (BHT) ferroelectric ceramics. The structural investigation by Raman and X-ray diffraction indicated that when the sintering temperature increases, the tetragonality of BHT ceramics reduces, and the evolution of the cubic phase increases. The evolution of the microstructure in BHT ceramics is found to be significantly reliant on the sintering temperature. With increasing temperature of sintering, the bulk density of BHT ceramics increases. The improved dielectric and ferroelectric properties were attained in BHT ceramics at higher sintering temperatures. The BHT ceramic sintered at 1350 °C exhibited a maximum electrocaloric temperature change of ΔT ∼0.6 °C with a corresponding efficiency ΔT/ΔE of 0.3 K mm/kV near ambient temperature under a low electric field of 20 kV/cm. The BHT ceramic sintered at 1450 °C exhibited excellent room temperature recoverable energy density of JRec ∼67.84 10−3J/cm3 and high energy storage efficiency of η ∼75.13 % under a low electric field of 20 kV/cm. The highest JRec ∼73.22 10−3J/cm3 with corresponding η of 64.60 % were obtained in BHT ceramic sintered at temperature 1350 °C. These findings broaden the possibility of exploring BHT-based systems as efficient lead-free ferroelectrics for both solid-state refrigeration and energy storage applications.

Simultaneously enhanced of energy storage and energy harvesting performances of [(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–BaTiO3] ceramics by addition of SrTiO3

As is well known, relaxor dielectrics are characterized by high energy storage efficiency (η), while high recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) can be achieved by anti-ferroelectric ceramics. Herein, our approach is to find relaxor- anti-ferroelectric coexistence phases of (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3- BaTiO3 ceramics for achieving high performance in energy storage and energy harvesting as well. Therefore, [(0.9-x) ( Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-xSrTiO3-0.1BaTiO3] (abbreviation (0.9-x) NBT-0.1BT-xST) (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) were synthesized via the solid-state reaction route in air. The tolerance factor (τ) increased from 0.9901 to 0.9998 when ST-content increased from 0.0 to 0.4, indicating an increase in crystal lattice symmetry. The FT-IR de-convolution vibration modes shown in the TiO6 octahedra exhibit two peaks at ∼550 and 650 cm−1, which indicate present coexistence phases of the crystal structure. Ferroelectric to relaxor phase crossover has been detected by the addition of ST with the present anti-ferroelectric phase in particular dopant ST = 0.2. The increasing into the diffused phase transition (γ) is signified by enhancement of the relaxor degree of NBT-BT at high content of ST. The rapidly suppressed remnant polarization (Pr) at high content of ST is due to substitute iso-valence (Sr2+) by tri-valence (Bi3+) and mono-valence (Na1+). Ultrahigh Wrec = 1.13 J/ cm3 with excellent η = 92.62% were obtained at ST = 0.3 at low electric field (E = 110 kV cm−1). A remarkable response of the strain with a high converse piezoelectric coefficient ( d33* = 390.47 pm V−1) at ST = 0.2 was obtained due to decreasing the non-revisable 180° domain switching. Based on the obtained results, the addition of ST to NBT-BT ceramics can provide a head start in the implementation of ceramic capacitors for potential effective into energy harvesting and energy storage applications.