Enhanced DC-biased energy-storage performance in lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics for high-density power converters

Dielectric energy-storage capacitors are among the main enabling technologies in high-density power converters, in which lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics have been paid particular attention to. However, low energy-storage performance at elevated temperature and high electric field, and the lack of application-oriented evaluation are among the primary blocks stumbling their progress. As a demonstration, 0.87BaTiO3-0.13Bi[Zn2/3(Nb0.85Ta0.15)1/3]O3 (BTBZNT) lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics were modified by linear dielectric CaZrO3 (CZ) with various contents of 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 (CZ0, CZ1, CZ2, and CZ3). XRD and Raman results reveal major perovskite phases, and densely sintered ceramics were witnessed from the SEM images. Unchanged weakly coupled relaxor behavior was confirmed by the big critical coefficient of 1.6–1.8 from the modified Curie–Weiss law and the large activation energy of 0.29–0.32 eV from the Volgel–Fulcher fittings, and CZ was found to suppress high-temperature loss. From the normal polarization–electric field (P–E) loops, CZ0 is optimal for energy-storage owing to the highest discharged energy density and modest efficiency. Nevertheless, from the application-oriented DC-biased P–E loops, CZ1 is oppositely superior to CZ0 because of the higher permittivity and lower loss leading to higher discharged energy density and efficiency at DC-biased electric field. Moreover, CZ1 outperforms CZ0 in the higher capacitance density and lower temperature rise at higher temperature and electric field. Enhanced DC-biased energy-storage performance in BTBZNT ceramics modified by CZ was achieved, which should enlighten the advance of energy-storage ceramics targeting the application in high-density power converters.