Achieving Excellent Energy Storage and Discharge Performance in PbHfO₃-Based Antiferroelectric Ceramics via...

Antiferroelectric (AFE) materials demonstrate potential application in pulse power systems and energy-storage devices due to outstanding power density (P_D) and rapid charge-discharge capability. Simultaneously achieving a high discharge energy density (W_dis) and large energy-storage density in AFE ceramics remains a key research focus. In this work, a method for optimizing parameters is proposed for ameliorating the grain size of the ceramic and enhancing antiferroelectricity, ultimately enhancing the energy-storage density and breakdown strength (E_b). Therefore, an excellent recoverable energy density (W_rec) of 13.6 J/cm³ and a large energy efficiency (η) of 82% along with outstanding thermal and frequency stabilities are simultaneously achieved in (Pb_0.96La_0.02Ca_0.02)(Hf_0.9Sn_0.1)O₃ (C1) AFE ceramics at a maximum electric field. The multistage field-induced phase transition phenomenon is detected at the polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loop of the C1 ceramic. Meanwhile, a superior P_D of 314.6 MW/cm³ and an excellent W_dis of 9.05 J/cm³ as well as a rapid discharge time (84 ns) are also obtained in the C1 ceramic at 380 kV/cm. The results highlight the potential of (Pb_0.98-La_0.02Ca)(Hf_0.9Sn_0.1)O₃ AFE ceramics for pulsed power systems and energy-storage applications.