Achieving higher dynamic discharge energy and power density in PLZST antiferroelectrics with lower quasi-static recoverable energy density via tuning the phase transition properties

The energy density of dielectrics could be evaluated both via low-frequency P-E loop (quasi-static recoverable energy density, W-re) and fast discharge current (dynamic discharge energy density, W-dis). The value of W-dis represents the useful energy, which can be converted to electrical energy while most work about high-energy-density dielectrics is focused on enhancing W-re. In this work, we investigated the relationship between W-dis and W-re in (Pb1 - 3x/2Lax)[(Zr0.45Sn0.55)(0.99)Ti-0.01]O-3 antiferroelectrics. Tuning the phase transition properties could improve the fast discharge capability by reducing the difference between W-dis and W-re and accelerating the energy release rate. At 300 kV/cm, the composition with x = 0 has the highest W-re of 6.7 J/cm(3) but a lower W-dis of only 4 J/cm(3) and longer discharge time duration, indicating a "high-energy-density " (highest W-re) quasi-static performance but "low-energy-density " (lower W-dis) and slow discharge performance during fast discharge. A highest W-dis of 5.9 J/cm(3) and power density were achieved in composition with x = 0.2 though with lower W-re. The various fast energy release performance was explained by their different domain mobility and phase switching behavior. Thus, purely pursing high W-re is with limitation and suppressing the difference between W-dis and W-re is with great significance. This work will give an approach for the development of energy storage dielectrics by connecting their fast discharge performance with polarization mechanism. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.