Key role of tetragonality in the enhancement of ferroic response of modified Ba0.85Sr0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3

We examine the correlation of tetragonality factor and underlying ferroelectric response via performing B-site doping, more competent in comparison to A-site. B-site doping opens a route toward optimization of various physical parameters via promoting the off-centering of central ions. Here, we provide detailed investigation of the effect of doping in Ba0.85Sr0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BSZT) modified with x wt. % CdO (x = 0, 1, 2) ceramics. Room temperature structural analysis emphasizes that tetragonality of the BSZT system increases with doping, which results in a realization of large spontaneous polarization and pinched PE loop by providing additional octahedral voids to move B-site cations. Additionally, Cd doping strengthens the anomaly in the Pyroelectric coefficient. This results in significant improvement in electrocaloric response and pyroelectric figure of merits. The elec-trocaloric response at ambient temperature enhances from 0.45 (x = 0%) to 0.69 J/Kg-K (x = 2%) ceramic. Cd doping improves energy storage efficiency and is found to be 61% (x = 0%) and 83% (x = 2%). A considerable change in the pyroelectric figure of merit is observed. Our study reveals that manipulation of tetragonality seems a suitable strategic route for developing effective pyroelectric and energy storage materials.