Enhanced energy storage performance of lead-free silver niobate antiferroelectric ceramics through Yb modification

AgNbO3 antiferroelectric (AFE) materials have attracted increasing attention owing to their environmental benefits, large polarization and double hysteresis loop, but they are limited by low breakdown strength and large hysteresis. In this study, the Ag(1-3x)YbxNbO3 ultrafine powder was prepared by hydrothermal process, and the ceramics were sintered in ambient air without a specialized oxygen atmosphere. An impressive recoverable energy density of 3.7 J/cm3 was achieved in Ag0.94Yb0.02NbO3, attributed to enhanced AFE stability. Furthermore, the ceramics exhibited remarkable frequency and temperature stability, with energy density variations of less than 10 % over the 1-100 Hz frequency range and less than 15 % between room temperature and 110 degrees C. An ultrafast discharge process was observed, with 90 % of stored energy being released within 205 ns, demonstrating suitability for advanced high-power device applications. These findings indicate that Yb modification and the hydrothermal process offer a promising route for improving antiferroelectricity and achieving high energy storage performance.