Antiferroelectric to relaxor ferroelectric phase transition in PbO modified (Pb0.97La0.02)(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 ceramics with a large energy-density for dielectric energy storage

Abstract

(Pb_0.97(1+x)La_0.02)(Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)O₃ (PLZT2/95/5) ceramics with excess lead content (x = 0, 3%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 15%) were successfully prepared via a solid-state reaction route. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that a pure perovskite structure was obtained for all compositions. The effects of excess lead content on the microstructure, dielectric properties, and energy-storage performance of PLZT2/95/5 ceramics were systematically investigated. The ceramics exhibited tetragonal phase structures and showed two dielectric peaks at 120 and 240 °C, corresponding to antiferroelectric–ferroelectric and ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transitions. The recoverable energy-storage density calculated from hysteresis loops reached about 2.12 J cm⁻³ with an efficiency of 92.98%, which was due to the phase transition from the antiferroelectric state to the relaxor ferroelectric state. Based on these results, typical PLZT2/95/5 ceramics with different lead excess content have been studied, which could be potential candidates for applications in high energy storage-density electrical capacitors.