Hysteresis Research Articles

Influence of annealing temperature on Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles: Synthesis optimization and structural, optical, morphological, and magnetic properties characterization for advanced technological applications

In this study, Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized using iron chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) and ammonia solution through a straightforward co-precipitation method. The nanoparticles were annealed at temperatures of 100 °C, 300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C, with one sample left unannealed. Comprehensive analyses were performed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis Spectrophotometry. The XRD patterns confirmed the presence of both Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) and Hematite (α-Fe2O3) phases, with a phase transition observed between 100 °C and 300 °C, and the most pronounced transition occurring at 500 °C. At this optimal temperature, the crystallite size was 19.14 nm, the average particle size was 37.36 nm, and the band gap energy was measured at 1.76 eV. SEM images revealed that nanoparticles formed clusters as the annealing temperature increased. The zeta potential measurements showed a range from 6.12 mV at 100 °C to −1.9 mV at 900 °C, indicating changes in particle stability. DLS analysis indicated a size increase from 86.81 nm at 300 °C to 1577 nm at 900 °C, reflecting aggregation trends. The reduction in band gap energy with higher temperatures is attributed to enhanced crystallinity and increased particle size. The magnetic properties of Fe₂O₃ NPs were evaluated using a Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS), revealing an increase in magnetic response with rising annealing temperatures. The transition from superparamagnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ to weakly ferromagnetic α-Fe₂O₃ was confirmed through changes in the hysteresis loop area and shape. These findings suggest that 500 °C is the optimal annealing temperature for producing Fe₂O₃ NPs with desirable properties for applications in targeted drug delivery, MRI contrast enhancement, and environmental remediation. This research advances the engineering of Fe₂O₃ NPs, paving the way for their use in various technological applications.

Inverse feedforward control of piezoelectric actuators using optimized composite neural network-based Hammerstein model

This paper utilizes the optimized composite neural network (OCNN)-Hammerstein model to directly identify the dynamic inverse hysteresis effect, employing it as a feedforward controller to compensate for the rate-dependent and amplitude-dependent dynamic hysteresis of the piezoelectric actuator. The OCNN-Hammerstein model consists of an optimized composite neural network and an auto-regressive exogenous model in series. The OCNN comprises convolutional neural network layer and radial basis function neural network layer, with its hyperparameters optimized using a modified grey wolf optimizer algorithm. Compared to the existing dynamic Prandtl-Ishlinskii-Hammerstein and dynamic Bouc-Wen-Hammerstein models in the literature, the feedforward controller based on the proposed model in this paper demonstrates superior performance, with an RSME below 0.45 μm and a 74.5% reduction in relative hysteresis at the condition of 300 Hz and maximum amplitude. The feedforward controller exhibits universality across all amplitude ranges and within the 50–300 Hz frequency range, while also providing predictive compensation for dynamic hysteresis at 300–400 Hz. The feedforward controller based on the OCNN-Hammerstein model in this paper provides a crucial methodology for open-loop control of piezoelectric actuators.

Hysteretic Dynamic Modeling and Vibration Characteristics Analysis of Metal-Rubber Isolators

A novel hysteretic constitutive model (HCM) with four parameters was proposed to reproduce the nonlinear elasticity and dry friction characteristics of metal–rubber isolators (MRIs). The HCM accurately characterized the nonlinear hysteretic behavior due to its intrinsic relationship with the geometric properties of the hysteresis loop. A physics-based parameter estimation strategy was developed to provide reasonable initial iteration values. Three MRIs with different design stiffnesses were tested to investigate their hysteretic behavior under various excitation levels. The HCM accurately reproduced the entire experimental hysteresis loops using only a subset of the experimental data. This exhibited higher precision and scalability compared to the classical dynamic model. Friction damping forces were employed to distinguish the stick-slip states of the three MRIs. Additionally, the identified parameters were used to simulate the steady-state vibration response of a complex MRI system. The resulting frequency response functions (FRFs) agreed well with the experimental data. The proposed model can effectively capture the amplitude-dependent effects in MRI systems with various design stiffnesses, enabling more accurate predictions of vibration responses.

Tribological and mechanical endowments of polyoxymethylene by liquid‐phase exfoliated graphene nanofiller

AbstractIn this study, a viable route to the development of a high‐performance polyoxymethylene (POM)‐based nanocomposite is proposed to overcome tribomechanical‐related issues in high‐precision sliding parts. Prior to melt‐blending, graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) filler was processed via a series of liquid‐phase exfoliation and surface modification with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Results indicate that GNP is successfully exfoliated with minimum defect ratio and improves interfacial bonding within the matrix. Uniform dispersion and stable load‐transfer capability of POM/GNP with 0.5 wt% loading significantly enhanced flexural, tensile and impact strength by overall 26.4%, in contrast to unfilled POM. Dry friction tests against a steel ball also showed the lowest reduction in friction coefficient and wear rate by 22% and 40.6%, respectively, at the same amount of GNP loading due to the large specific surface coverage and lubricious transfer film chelation onto the steel counterface. Furthermore, dissipated energy accumulation by friction work was calculated in the sliding interfaces based on friction force–displacement hysteresis loop where the POM/GNP 0.5 wt% wear surface consumed ca 21.7% less energy in a dry frictional shearing process compared to neat POM. However, lack or excess loading of processed GNP exhibited insufficient or poor matrix–filler adhesion and led to deterioration of the composite properties due to particle agglomeration which can cause stress concentration and serve as a failure site. The adoption of the proposed methodology would demonstrate excellent material characteristics in thin‐walled precision parts where both mechanical and tribological performances are the primary concern. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bamboo-Based Carbon/Co/CoO Heterojunction Structures Based on a Multi-Layer Periodic Matrix Array Can Be Used for Efficient Electromagnetic Attenuation

With the popularization of wireless communication, radar, and electronic devices, the hidden harm of electromagnetic radiation is becoming increasingly serious. The design of green biomass carbon-based interface heterojunctions based on lightweight porous materials can effectively protect against electromagnetic radiation hazards. In this work, we constructed an anisotropic heterojunction interface with magnetic and dielectric coupling based on a honeycomb-like periodic matrix multi-layer array repeating unit. The removal of lignin components from bamboo through oxidation enriches the impregnation pores and uniform adsorption sites of the magnetic medium. Further, in situ pyrolysis promotes the formation of a large number of electric dipoles at the interface between the magnetic medium and dielectric coupling inside the periodic cell carbon skeleton, enhancing interface polarization and relaxation. Local carrier traps and uneven electromagnetic density enhance dielectric and hysteresis losses, resulting in excellent impedance matching. Therefore, the obtained bamboo-based carbon multiphase composite absorbent has satisfactory electromagnetic loss characteristics. At a thickness of 1.55 mm, the effective absorption bandwidth reaches 5.1 GHz, and the minimum reflection loss (RL) value reaches −54.7 dB. In addition, the far-field radar simulation results show that the sample has an excellent RCS (radar cross-section) reduction of 33.3 dB·m2. This work provides new directions for the diversified development of green biomass and the optimization of the design of magnetic and dielectric coupling in periodic array structures.

Anion-Substituted Hybrid Zinc Halides with Remarkable Dielectric Switches.

Thermo-responsive dielectric switching hybrid halides, displaying reversible dielectric bistability, have recently made them highly versatile and attractive for their structural tunability and rich functional properties. However, the substantial improvement of the dielectric switching operating range is limited near room temperature, and obtaining ultra-wide dielectric switching temperature region is a major challenge. Herein, a remarkable dielectric switching effect is reported with ultra-wide dielectric switching temperature region in a hybrid halide system, caused by dipolar orientational polarization ascribing order-disorder phase transitions. The new A2BX4 hybrid halide [C6H5(CH2)4NH3]2ZnBr4 (4PBA-ZnBr4) with an ultra-wide dielectric hysteresis loop of about 55K near room temperature is designed successfully through halogen substitution. Meanwhile, structurally similar hybrid materials 4PBA-ZnI4 were designed as controls. More interestingly, the crystal structure, phase transition temperature (Tc), dielectric and semiconductor properties exhibit significant discrepancies as the halogen atoms vary from Br to I. This discovery provides an efficiently regulated anionic framework to construct hybrid halides with ultra-wide high dielectric switching and reliable cycling stability by assembling with various cations, making them potentially excellent candidates for highly responsive room temperature smart switches or transducer devices.

Magnetic properties of [(CoP)soft/(NiP)am/(CoP)hard/(NiP)am]n superlattices

We report on the results of experimental and theoretical studies of magnetic superlattices [(CoP)soft/(NiP)am/(CoP)hard/(NiP)am]n (n = 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, tCoP = 5 nm, tNiP = 2 nm) produced by electroless deposition method. Cross-section electron microscopy image shows the layers do not mix and the interfaces between the layers are not blurred. We found the behavior of the magnetic hysteresis loops is similar to the exchange spring. Three peaks of microwave absorption are observed in the electron magnetic resonance spectra. To explain this, a model of a three-sublattice magnet with long-range interlayer interaction due to magnetic proximity effect is proposed. A perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is formed at the interface between the magnetic and non-magnetic layers. The interlayer interaction between the nearest magnetically soft and hard (J1) layers is found to be negative, the interaction between magnetically soft layers (J2) is positive, while J1 is about an order of magnitude greater than J2.

Dynamic modeling of variable speed left ventricular assist devices coupled to the cardiovascular system.

Most of the modeling of the Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) coupled with the cardiovascular system is based on the assumption of constant rotational speed. Compared with the traditional inertial model, the validated hysteresis model can take into account the unsteady characteristics of LVADs, but it fails to work under the condition of variable speed modulation. This study takes into consideration the impact of speed variations on the unsteady hysteresis effects. The time constant in the hysteresis model is treated as a time-varying parameter, thereby developing a new model applicable to variable speed modulation. Under sinusoidal speed modulation at various phases, a comparative analysis was undertaken among the steady-state model, inertial model, and the new model. Transient Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and existing experimental results are used for validation. The new model provides a more accurate method for the predicting the characteristics of LVAD in the coupled model under varying pump speeds, and exhibits higher linearity in the work done by the left ventricle and the blood pump, and , which is aligning closely with the experimental results. This enhancement renders it applicable for proactive control predictions and passive control validations.

A novel hollow flower shaped Cu9S8 antibacterial agent for removing sulfonamide in water environment: effects of composite with magnetic biochar, differential adsorption, and mechanism study.

In this study, hollow nanoflower spherical Cu9S8 and Cu9S8/Fe3O4@BC with adsorption and antibacterial properties was prepared by coprecipitation and solvothermal method, respectively. The adsorption results showed that the Cu9S8 exhibited excellent adsorption performance on sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs), especially for sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). The optimal addition amount of Cu9S8 is 0.2 g, which results in a maximum adsorption capacity of 33.4 mg/g for SMZ within 120 min. The fitting results of adsorption and desorption kinetics and thermodynamics, as well as the conditions such as pH value and ionic strength were compared. It was found that different interactions led to the differential adsorption of SAs by Cu9S8. The desorption experiment further elucidated its adsorption mechanism. The large desorption capacity indicates that SAs on Cu9S8 can be further recovered and treated. The auto-deposition characteristics of Cu9S8 and the hysteresis loop of Cu9S8/Fe3O4@BC were studied to effectively recover Cu9S8 from aquatic environments. Additionally, more than 99% of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were exterminated by Cu9S8 and Cu9S8/Fe3O4@BC within 20 min. The above results suggested that the hollow nanoflower spherical Cu9S8 and Cu9S8/Fe3O4@BC composite materials can provide a new strategy for solving pollution problems and waste treatment.

High‐Pressure Growth and Characterization of Seven‐Layered CuBa2Ca6Cu7O17±δ Single Crystals

AbstractIn cuprates, the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) is closely related to the number n of CuO2 planes per unit cell. The studies on multi‐layered cuprates offer insights into the physical properties and pairing mechanisms of superconductivity. However, the synthesis and stability of ultra‐multilayered cuprates pose significant challenges. Here, a newly discovered seven‐layered cuprate CuBa2Ca6Cu7O17±δ grown under high pressure is reported. Magnetization and transport measurements confirm bulk superconductivity with Tc of ≈85 K. The magnetization hysteresis loops, critical current density (Jc), and irreversibility fields of CuBa2Ca6Cu7O17±δ are also investigated. The novel compound CuBa2Ca6Cu7O17±δ provides an ideal platform for studying the physics of multi‐layered cuprates.

Inhomogeneous Sea‐Salt Aerosols—A New Strengthening Mechanism for the Western North Pacific Subtropical High

AbstractThe western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH) significantly influences East Asian weather. In the Northwest Pacific where sea‐salt aerosols (SSAs) are abundant and the large‐scale environment is dominated by the dry subsidence of the WNPSH during summer, inhomogeneous SSAs form as a product of the environment. However, the extent to which inhomogeneous SSAs affect the WNPSH remains unclear. This study investigates the radiative effects of SSAs through numerical simulations, revealing a novel mechanism for the strengthening of the WNPSH. The results demonstrate that inhomogeneous SSAs enhance the WNPSH by generating diabatic cooling in the upper troposphere and associated unstable subsidence motion. Further considering the radiative hysteresis effects of inhomogeneous SSAs, the WNPSH further strengthens under the combined dynamic and thermodynamic influences associated with upper‐level radiative cooling. Inhomogeneous SSAs not only enhance the WNPSH but also influence the location where the central area of high pressure intensifies.

Evaluating passive PCM performance in building envelopes for semi-arid climate: Experimental and numerical insights on hysteresis, sub-cooling, and energy savings

This study evaluates the performance of macro-encapsulated Phase Change Materials (PCMs) integrated into building envelopes for semi-arid climates, focusing on typical Moroccan construction using hollow concrete blocks. The primary objective is to assess the discrepancies between experimental and numerical analyses, particularly in hysteresis, sub-cooling, and energy savings. Given the widespread reliance on numerical tools like EnergyPlus for PCM simulations, the accuracy of manufacturer-provided latent heat values is investigated. The methodology involves constructing two identical test buildings, one equipped with PCM panels and another as a reference. Experimental data were collected in June 2023, assessing temperature fluctuations and energy savings. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests at varying scanning rates were conducted to analyze PCM behavior, including hysteresis and sub-cooling effects. Numerical simulations were then performed to compare energy performance. Besides, the results reveal that sub-cooling significantly limits PCM efficiency, with only 43 % of the PCM's latent heat capacity utilized. At the same time, hysteresis was found to be negligible in the field test. Cooling energy consumption was reduced by 20 %, with a corresponding 2.3 °C reduction in temperature fluctuations. However, the PCM's latent heat potential is underutilized due to sub-cooling. This research underscores the need for conducting DSC measurements at specific scanning rates to reflect regional climate conditions and suggests that simulation models should adjust latent heat utilization of the PCM. The study advocates for the use of composite PCMs, which could mitigate sub-cooling and enhance overall performance. These findings contribute to improving PCM integration in passive building designs, offering practical recommendations for better energy efficiency in semi-arid climates.

Characterizing the hysteretic effects of water and salinity stresses on root-water-uptake

Characterizing the effects of previous water and salinity stresses is critical for the evaluation of plant water status, which, in turn, is essential for understanding soil-plant water relations and optimizing irrigation schemes. Recent research has found that hysteresis of plant response following water stress alone can be described by an exponential function of the stress degree on the previous day. To explore and quantify the effects of hysteresis concerning salinity stress and combined water-salinity stress, a hydroponic experiment and a soil column experiment on winter wheat, and a field experiment on cotton were conducted. Like water stress, previous salinity stress and combined water-salinity stress also resulted in hysteretic effects on root-water-uptake. Leaf stomatal conductance and plant transpiration rate of stressed crops could only recover gradually from a previous stressed status after re-watering. When stress was mild, compensatory recovery was found, while incomplete recovery occurred when stress was severe. Although the recovery process was closely related to stress history and type, a recovery coefficient was quantified universally with an exponential function of the stress extent on the previous day (with a coefficient of determination R2 ≥ 0.60). Consideration of hysteresis for water and salinity stresses with a mathematical model led to significant improvement in the simulation of both relative transpiration rate (R2 = 0.94, root mean squared error RMSE = 0.04, maximal absolute error MAE = 0.12) and soil water content (R2 = 0.90, RMSE = 0.01 cm3 cm–3, MAE = 0.03 cm3 cm–3), especially during the recovery periods severely affected by historical stress. Consideration of hysteresis is expected to benefit regulation of soil water and salinity and thus enhance water use efficiency. However, the mechanisms underlying hysteresis, especially the compensatory recovery mechanisms, still need to be further investigated.

Room‐temperature magnetocapacitance spanning 97 K hysteresis in molecular material

Magnetic capacitor, as a new type of device, has broad application prospects in fields such as magnetic field sensing, magnetic storage, magnetic field control, power electronics and so on. Traditional magnetic capacitors are mostly assembled by magnetic and capacitive materials. Magnetic capacitor made of a single material with intrinsic properties is very rare. This intrinsic property is magnetocapacitance (MC). The studies on MC effect have mainly focused on metal oxides so far. No study was reported in molecular materials. Herein, two complexes: (CETAB)2[CuCl4] (1) and (CETAB)2[CuBr4] (2) (CETAB = (2‐chloroethyl)trimethylammonium) are reported. There exist strong H‐Br and Br‐Br interactions and other weak interactions in complex 2, so the phase transition energy barrier is high, resulting in the widest thermal hysteresis loop on a molecular level to date. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 show large MC parameters of 0.247 and 1.614, respectively, which is the first time to observe MC effect in molecular material.

Methods in fluctuation (noise) spectroscopy and continuous analysis for high-throughput measurements

Abstract Fluctuation (noise) spectroscopy is widely used to investigate the low-frequency dynamics of charge carriers in condensed-matter systems, aiming to (i) improve the performance of micro- and nanoscale electronic devices and sensors, and (ii) use ‘noise as a signal’ in order to fundamentally investigate the microscopic motion and transitions of charge carriers coupled to the low-lying excitations in solids. Here, we focus on measurements of the ubiquitous 1 / f -type fluctuations, often composed by a superposition of (independent or correlated) two-level systems each giving rise to a Lorentzian spectrum, denoted random telegraph noise in the time domain. We briefly review the basic concepts of noise and fluctuations and give a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art measuring techniques, using both commercially available signal analyzers and custom software in order to perform the spectral analysis of the recorded time signals, and critically evaluate their advantages and drawbacks. We describe how to use fast data acquisition devices in a cross-correlation setup providing additional quantitative information on the magnitude of uncorrelated instrument noise, and demonstrate the mathematical intricacies of extracting the noise spectra. We introduce a new method for high-throughput measurements by automated spectral analysis based on the concept of Continuous Analysis. We demonstrate the potential of this technique, working towards a FAIR data workflow, by measurements of magnetic flux noise within the hysteresis loop of ferromagnetic nanostructures.

Tunable Anomalous Hall Effect in Broken–Symmetry Integrated Perovskite/Brownmillerite Superlattices

AbstractThe anomalous Hall effect (AHE), a hallmark of broken time–reversal symmetry, serves as a powerful tool for probing magnetic states and elucidating complex spin–orbit interactions in transition metal oxides. It is reported here that the emergence of AHE signals and interfacial ferromagnetism is directly observed from broken–symmetry integrated perovskite PrCoO3 and brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 superlattices. Through the strategic combinations of these two complex oxide systems onto the substrates with tailored lattice parameters, squared AHE hysteresis loops with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are found under compressive strain in the optimized superlattices, and the magnitude of the loops is more than three times greater compared to those under tensile strain. The manifestation of AHE in these superlattices is attributed to an extrinsic mechanism involving spin–polarized scattering of charge carriers, with the mismatched perovskite/brownmillerite interfaces acting as the primary scattering centers. These discoveries suggest a promising avenue for the development of artificial materials with controllable AHE properties.

Room-temperature magnetocapacitance spanning 97 K hysteresis in molecular material.

Magnetic capacitor, as a new type of device, has broad application prospects in fields such as magnetic field sensing, magnetic storage, magnetic field control, power electronics and so on. Traditional magnetic capacitors are mostly assembled by magnetic and capacitive materials. Magnetic capacitor made of a single material with intrinsic properties is very rare. This intrinsic property is magnetocapacitance (MC). The studies on MC effect have mainly focused on metal oxides so far. No study was reported in molecular materials. Herein, two complexes: (CETAB)2[CuCl4] (1) and (CETAB)2[CuBr4] (2) (CETAB = (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium) are reported. There exist strong H-Br and Br-Br interactions and other weak interactions in complex 2, so the phase transition energy barrier is high, resulting in the widest thermal hysteresis loop on a molecular level to date. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 show large MC parameters of 0.247 and 1.614, respectively, which is the first time to observe MC effect in molecular material.

Significant enhancement in the magnetic properties of Cr2Te3 nanosheets by atom substitution doping.

Ferromagnetic Cr2Te3 nanocrystals, with their high spin-orbit coupling and low symmetry, have attracted considerable attention as rare-earth-free magnetic nanomaterials due to their potential to achieve high magnetic anisotropy. However, their relatively low values of remanence (Mr) and saturation (MS) magnetisation limit their energy product, making them unsuitable for practical applications. Herein, we report a straightforward one-pot heat-injection technique for the synthesis of high-remanence hexagonal Cr2Te3 nanosheets by heterogeneous doping with atoms of M (M = V, Mn and Se). The doped materials provide enhanced Mr and MS at an unchanged Curie temperature (TC), resulting in excellent hard magnetic properties. With Mn doping, the Mr of the matrix increases significantly, reaching 18.38 emu g-1 at 5 K, far exceeding the original undoped Cr2Te3 nanosheets. The nearly square hysteresis loop makes it valuable for many low temperature applications. These results provide a valuable case for tuning the magnetism of ferromagnetic Cr2Te3 by substitutional doping.

Superior Piezoelectric Performance in Textured CaBi2Nb2O9 Ferroelectric Ceramics through Rare-Earth Gadolinium Doping and Spark Plasma Sintering.

High-performance piezoelectric ceramics with excellent thermal stability are crucial for high-temperature piezoelectric sensor applications. However, conventional fabrication processes offer limited enhancements in piezoelectric performance. In this study, we achieved a significant breakthrough in the piezoelectric performance of highly textured CaBi2Nb2O9 (CBN) ceramics by incorporating rare-earth gadolinium doping and utilizing spark plasma sintering. The resulting Ca0.97Gd0.03Bi2Nb2O9 (CBN-3Gd) ceramics exhibited superior piezoelectric properties, with a high piezoelectric constant d33 of 26 pC/N and a high Curie temperature TC of 946 °C. We employed piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) to observe the morphology and dimensions of the ferroelectric domains, revealing a rod-shaped 3D domain configuration. This configuration facilitated polarization rotation in the textured ceramics, as analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops. Furthermore, the textured CBN-3Gd ceramics demonstrated exceptional thermal stability and reliability. The piezoelectric constant d33 decreased by only 11.8% over a temperature range of room temperature to 500 °C, and the DC electrical resistivity remained at 6.7 × 105 Ω cm at 600 °C. This work not only highlights the great potential of textured CBN-based ceramics for high-temperature piezoelectric sensors but also provides a viable strategy for enhancing the performance of piezoelectric materials with large aspect ratio micromorphology.

Exploring anti-ferroelectric thin films with high energy storage performance by moderating phase transition

Anti-ferroelectric thin films are renowned for their signature double hysteresis loops and sheds light on the distinguished energy storage capabilities of dielectric capacitors in modern electronic devices. However, anti-ferroelectric capacitors are still facing the dual challenges of low energy density and efficiency to achieve state-of-the-art performance. Their large hysteresis and sharp first-order phase transition usually results in a low energy storage efficiency and easy breakdown, severely obscuring its future application. In this study, we demonstrate that anti-ferroelectric (Pb0.97La0.02)(Zr1−xSnx)O3 epitaxial thin films exhibit enhanced energy storage performance through local structural heterogeneity to moderate the first-order phase transition by calculating the corresponding polarization as a function of switching time for the first time. The films exhibit remarkable enhanced breakdown strength (∼3.47 MV/cm, ∼5 times the value for PbZrO3) and energy storage performance. Our endeavors have culminated in the ingenious formulation of a novel strategy, namely, the postponement of polarization processes, thereby elevating the breakdown strength and total energy storage performance. This landmark achievement has unveiled a fresh vista of investigative opportunities for advancing the energy storage prowess of electric dielectrics.