Electrical energy storage properties of AgNbO3-based antiferroelectric ceramics prepared without an oxygen atmosphere by using hydrothermally synthesized powders

AgNbO3 based ceramics are commonly sintered with an O-2 atmosphere. In this work, after synthesizing AgNbO3, Na-doped AgNbO3, and Ta-doped AgNbO3 powders by a hydrothermal method, the ceramics were sintered in the air atmosphere by using the synthesized powders. The novel process with the absence of an O-2 atmosphere is practical and facile. The structural, dielectric, antiferroelectric, and electrical energy storage properties of fabricated ceramics were studied. Na doping has a weak influence on the structure but can significantly improve the electrical breakdown field. Ta doping induces a pure antiferroelectric phase and the electrical energy storage efficiency is improved greatly.