Enhanced energy storage efficiency of Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 ceramics modified by BiTaO3

Lead-free (1-x)Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3-xBiTaO3 (BST-xBTA) ceramics were prepared via a solid-state reaction process. The effect of BTA addition on the energy storage properties of BST ceramics was investigated. The pure perovskite phases were found in the BST-xBTA ceramic samples as x ≤ 0.12. With the increasing BTA content, the maximum breakdown strength (Eb) reached 130 kV/cm at x = 0.12, twice that of the undoped samples. The large Eb and slim ferroelectric loops of the 0.88BST-0.12BTA ceramics indicated an advantageous energy density of Wrec ∼0.526 J/cm3 and a high energy efficiency of η ∼98% at 130 kV/cm. The low dielectric loss and high η make this ceramic system a promising material applying pulsed-powder devices.