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Electrostatic energy storage technology based on dielectrics is the basis of advanced electronics and high-power electrical systems. High polarization (P) and high electric breakdown strength (Eb) are the key parameters for dielectric materials to achieve superior energy storage performance. In this work, a composite strategy based on antiferroelectric dielectrics (AFEs) has been proposed to improve the energy storage performance. Here, AlN is selected as the second phase for the (Pb0.915Ba0.04La0.03)(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O3 (PBLZST) AFEs, which is embedded in the grain boundaries to construct insulating networks and regulate the local electric field, improving the Eb. Meanwhile, it is emphasized that AFEs have the AFE–FE and FE–AFE phase transitions, and the increase of the phase transition electric fields can further improve the recoverable energy density (Wrec). As a result, the Eb increases from 180 to 290 kV·cm−1 with a simultaneous increase of the phase transition electric fields, magnifying the Wrec to ~144% of the pristine PBLZST. The mechanism for enhanced Eb and the phase transition electric fields is revealed by the finite element simulation method. Moreover, the PBLZST:1.0 wt% AlN composite ceramics exhibit favorable temperature stability, frequency stability, and charge–discharge ability, making the composite ceramics a promising candidate for energy storage applications.


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Regulating local electric field to optimize the energy storage performance of antiferroelectric ceramics via a composite strategy

Show Author's information Ying YangaZhanming Doua,bKailun ZouaKanghua LiaWei LuoaWen DongaGuangzu Zhanga( )Qiuyun FuaShenglin Jianga
School of Optical and Electronic Information, Engineering Research Center for Functional Ceramics MOE and Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
China Zhenhua Group Yunke Electmnics Co., Ltd., Guiyang 550018, China

Abstract

Electrostatic energy storage technology based on dielectrics is the basis of advanced electronics and high-power electrical systems. High polarization (P) and high electric breakdown strength (Eb) are the key parameters for dielectric materials to achieve superior energy storage performance. In this work, a composite strategy based on antiferroelectric dielectrics (AFEs) has been proposed to improve the energy storage performance. Here, AlN is selected as the second phase for the (Pb0.915Ba0.04La0.03)(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O3 (PBLZST) AFEs, which is embedded in the grain boundaries to construct insulating networks and regulate the local electric field, improving the Eb. Meanwhile, it is emphasized that AFEs have the AFE–FE and FE–AFE phase transitions, and the increase of the phase transition electric fields can further improve the recoverable energy density (Wrec). As a result, the Eb increases from 180 to 290 kV·cm−1 with a simultaneous increase of the phase transition electric fields, magnifying the Wrec to ~144% of the pristine PBLZST. The mechanism for enhanced Eb and the phase transition electric fields is revealed by the finite element simulation method. Moreover, the PBLZST:1.0 wt% AlN composite ceramics exhibit favorable temperature stability, frequency stability, and charge–discharge ability, making the composite ceramics a promising candidate for energy storage applications.

Keywords: energy storage, local electric field, antiferroelectric composites, electric breakdown strength

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Received: 06 September 2022
Accepted: 08 December 2022
Published: 16 February 2023
Issue date: March 2023

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© The Author(s) 2022.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51972126, 51972125, and 52172114), the Key Research and Development Project of Hubei Province (2020BAB067), HUST International Cooperation and Exchange Project, Double First Class Program of China (5001182055), the Innovation Research Fund of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2019KFYRCPY126 and 2018KFYYXJJ052), and the Innovation Fund of WNLO. We also would like to acknowledge the Analytical and Testing Center of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

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