Energy storage characteristics of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ antiferroelectric ceramics with high Sn content

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ (PLZST) antiferroelectric (AFE) materials have been widely investigated for advanced pulsed power capacitors because of their fast charge-discharge rates and superior energy-storage capacity. For practical applications, pulsed power capacitors require not only large energy density but also high energy efficiency, which are very difficult to achieve simultaneously. To address this problem, we herein investigate the energy-storage properties of PLZST AFE ceramics with a high Sn content by considering that the introduction of Sn can make the polarization versus electric-field (P-E) hysteresis loops slimmer. The results show that an optimum Sn content leads to the realization of both large recoverable energy density (W_re) and high energy efficiency (η) in a single material. With a Sn content of 46%, the PLZST AFE ceramic exhibits the best room-temperature energy storage properties with a W_re value as large as 3.2 J/cm³ and an η value as high as 86.5%. In addition, both its W_re and η vary very slightly in the wide temperature range of 20-120 °C. The high W_re and η values and their good thermal stability make the Pb_0.97La_0.02(Zr_0.50Sn_0.46Ti_0.04)O₃ AFE ceramic a promising material for making pulsed power capacitors usable in various conditions.