Enhanced breakdown strength and energy storage density of AgNbO 3 ceramics via tape casting

Abstract Antiferroelectric materials are promising candidates for energy‐storage applications due to their double hysteresis loops, which can deliver high power density. Among the antiferroelectric materials, AgNbO 3 is proved attractive due to its environmental‐friendliness and high potential for achieving excellent energy storage performance. However, the recoverable energy storage density of AgNbO 3 ceramics is limited by their relatively low breakdown strength. Herein, the breakdown strength of the pure AgNbO 3 ceramics prepared using the tape casting method is enhanced to 307 kV·cm −1 , which is, to the best of our knowledge, among the highest values reported for pure AgNbO −3 bulk ceramics. The high breakdown strength may be due to its dense microstructure and good crystallinity obtained by the tape casting method and the optimized sintering temperature. Owing to its enhanced breakdown strength, AgNbO 3 ceramics show high recoverable energy storage density of 2.8 J·cm −3 . These results have led to the development of lead‐free antiferroelectric materials and devices with high energy storage density.