Improving energy density and efficiency in antiferroelectric-based multilayer ceramic capacitors via composition design engineering

Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O-3-based antiferroelectrics (AFEs) display good application potential in pulse power capacitors because of their large maximum polarization (Pmax) and electric-field-induced AFE-ferroelectric (FE) phase transition characteristics. However, high remanent polarization (Pr), low electric breakdown strength (Eb), and large hysteresis loss limit the energy storage performance (ESP). To address this issue, La3+ ions with a smaller ionic radius and higher valence than Pb2+ ions were doped into the (Pb0.96-1.5xBa0.04Lax)(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O-3 (PBLZST) AFE ceramics in this work. This doping successfully led to a higher AFE-FE phase transition electric field and Eb, which is attributed to the increased stability of the AFE phase, as well as the reduction in grain size and electric conductivity. Additionally, the increased relaxor behavior results in slimmer hysteresis loops, leading to a significant improvement in the recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy efficiency (7). The optimal ESP is obtained in the (Pb0.885Ba0.04La0.05)(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O-3 AFE ceramics, which simultaneously exhibits a high Wrec of 3.652 J cm(-3) and a high 7 of 87.1%. To further improve the ESP, the multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) were fabricated, achieving a high Eb of 470 kV cm(-1) with low hysteresis due to the structural modification. Ultimately, the MLCCs display a high Wrec of 7.294 J cm(-3) and an ultrahigh 7 of 95.0%. This study presents a novel approach to developing high-performance dielectric capacitors through composition and structural design.