Dielectric and Energy Storage Properties of Ba(1-x)CaxZryTi(1-y)O3 (BCZT): A Review

The Ba(1-x)CaxZryTi(1-y)O3 (BCZT), a lead-free ceramic material, has attracted the scientific community since 2009 due to its large piezoelectric coefficient and resulting high dielectric permittivity. This perovskite material is a characteristic dielectric material for the pulsed power capacitors industry currently, which in turn leads to devices for effective storage and supply of electric energy. After this remarkable achievement in the area of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, the researchers are exploring both the bulk as well as thin films of this perovskite material. It is observed that the thin film of this materials have outstandingly high power densities and high energy densities which is suitable for electrochemical supercapacitor applications. From a functional materials point of view this material has also gained attention in multiferroic composite material as the ferroelectric constituent of these composites and has provided extraordinary electric properties. This article presents a review on the relevant scientific advancements that have been made by using the BCZT materials for electric energy storage applications by optimizing its dielectric properties. The article starts with a BCZT introduction and discussion of the need of this material for high energy density capacitors, followed by different synthesis techniques and the effect on dielectric properties of doping different materials in BCZT. The advantages of thin film BCZT material over bulk counterparts are also discussed and its use as one of the constituents of mutiferroic composites is also presented. Finally, it summarizes the future prospects of this material followed by the conclusions.