Enhanced energy storage performance with improved phase transition field in PBLZST AFE ceramics by the SPS method

PLZST-based antiferroelectric dielectric capacitors are the most advantageous materials in pulse power devices. However, the PbO volatilization, low recoverable energy density and efficiency (W-rec and eta) hinder the large-scale development and application. An effective strategy was proposed by modifying the antiferroelectric with a linear dielectric material Ca(Zr,Ti)O-3 via spark-plasma-sintering (SPS). This research achieved a remarkable W-rec of 5.54 J/cm(3), exceptionally high recoverable energy storage intensity (rho) of 20.52 x 10(-3) J/kVcenter dotcm(-2) and eta of 83%. The enhancement in W-rec and rho resulted from the enhanced phase-transition-field by the decreased tolerance factor and increased electronegativity difference, the grains refinement and stoichiometric ratio accuracy by SPS. The increase of eta was due to the non-ferroelectrically Ca2+ on the A-site and the improved insulation by SPS. Moreover, the rapid and low temperature sintering helped inhibit lead volatilization and increased mechanical hardness (H-V > 7 GPa). Our work demonstrates that PBLZST-based ceramics prepared by SPS can be exploited for enhanced energy-storage performance under a low voltage in an environmentally-friendly way.