Achieving ultrahigh energy storage performance of PBLZST-based antiferroelectric composite ceramics via interfacial polarization engineering

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics can be used in pulse power devices for high power density and fast discharge. Composites are recognized as an effective strategy to combine the benefits of different materials but suffer from interfacial mismatch and interfacial polarization. In this work, a combination of high-breakdown Pb0.94La0.04(Zr0.99-xSnxTi0.01)O3 (PLZST) with high-efficiency Pb0.8925Ba0.04La0.045(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O3 (PBLZST) is explored to enhance energy storage performance. Via adjusting Sn content in PLZST, the difference in lattice and dielectric properties between two phases are reduced, decreasing interfacial polarization. The breakdown strength of PBLZST-PLZST is boosted from 285 kV cm-1 to 345 kV cm-1, with maximum polarization strength decreasing from 44 μC cm-2 to 36 μC cm-2. An recoverable energy density (Wre ~ 7.152 J cm-3) and discharged efficiency (η ~ 90.5%) has been achieved in Pb0.8925Ba0.04La0.045(Zr0.65Sn0.3Ti0.05)O3-Pb0.94La0.04(Zr0.69Sn0.3Ti0.01)O3 (x = 0.3) composite ceramics. These findings highlight the potential of interfacial polarization engineering for developing composite ceramics with high-energy storage performance.