Achieving ultrahigh energy storage properties with superior stability in novel (Ba(1-x)Bix)(Ti(1-x)Zn0.5xSn0.5x)O3 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics via chemical modification

Relaxor ferroelectrics are receiving widespread attention due to their excellent energy storage properties (ESPs). In this study, (Ba(1-x)Bix)(Ti(1-x)Zn0.5xSn0.5x)O3 (abbreviated as BBTZS-x, x = 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.14, 0.16, 0.18) ceramics were synthesized via a solid-state reaction route, and the effects of chemical modification on their structure and properties were investigated in detail. The introduction of Bi/Zn/Sn (BZS) elements into BaTiO3 (BT) systems induced the change from normal to relaxor ferroelectric behavior, which caused the enhancement of comprehensive ESPs. Significantly, BBTZS-0.12 ceramics acquired the preeminent total energy density (Wtot = 5.8 J/cm3), recoverable energy density (Wrec = 4.99 J/cm3) and efficiency (eta = 86.1%) at high field strength of 550 kV/cm because of the existence of polar nanoregions (PNRs) therein. The dynamic response of PNRs to the external field was found to be propitious to the enhancement of energy-storage performance. In particular, excellent current density (CD = 721.5 A/cm2), power density (PD = 151.5 MW/cm3) and the time of release of up to 90% of the discharge energy density value (t0.9 = 53 ns) were simultaneously achieved in BBTZS-0.12 ceramics at 420 kV/cm. Moreover, BBTZS-0.12 ceramics were found to be the most optimal for the long-term applications under different environmental conditions because of their outstanding temperature (30-150 degrees C), frequency (1-500 Hz), and fatigue cycle (cycle numbers: 1-100000) stabilities. Therefore, exceptional ESPs make BBTZS-x ceramics promising for advanced pulsed power capacitors and energy storage applications.