Enhanced energy storage performance in yttrium-doped lead-free antiferroelectric silver niobate ceramics

Yttrium-doped silver niobate (AgNbO3) ceramics, fabricated via a hydrothermal method, show promise as high-performance, lead-free antiferroelectric materials for dielectric energy storage. The Y-doped AgNbO3 exhibits improved breakdown electric fields due to its uniform grain structure. Y doping also shifts the M-1-M-2 phase transition to lower temperatures and enhances energy storage density (W-rec) and efficiency (eta), with Ag0.94Y0.02NbO3 reaching 4 J/cm(3) and 52.3 %, respectively, compared to 2.15 J/cm(3) and 39 % in undoped samples. Stability tests revealed minimal changes in W-rec (<= 2 %) and eta (<= 8 %) across 30-130 degrees C and frequency variation from 1 Hz to 100 Hz showed < 20 % and < 4 % changes, respectively. Rapid charge-discharge capabilities further support the potential of these ceramics in high-power applications. This study presents a practical approach to advancing AgNbO3-based materials for efficient energy storage solutions.