Simultaneous achievement of high energy storage density and ultrahigh efficiency in BCZT-based relaxor ceramics at moderate electric field

Abstract

The development of high-performance energy storage dielectric materials is the key to the development of large capacity ceramic capacitor. How to obtain the high energy storage density and efficiency of dielectric materials is the basis. Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Zr_0.1Ti_0.9O₃ (BCZT) has high energy storage potential as a typical piezoelectric material, but it shows poor energy storage properties due to low breakdown electric field and large remnant polarization. In this work, we propose a combined optimization strategy aimed at enhancing the comprehensive energy storage performance of BCZT-based ceramics through doping with bismuth-based oxides. The diverse phase morphology offers substantial potential for modifying the electrical properties of BCZT-based ceramics. Electrical homogeneity is markedly improved with the incorporation of Bi_2/3(Al_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ (BAN), which is accompanied by a reduction in long-range ferroelectric phases and the emergence of polar nanoregions. Ultimately, optimal BCZT-xBAN ceramics with x = 0.09 exhibit superior energy storage performances (W_rec ∼ 3.71 J/cm³, η ∼ 94.54 %) under moderate electric fields. Furthermore, BCZT-0.09BAN ceramics demonstrate commendable fatigue endurance, frequency stability, and temperature stability characteristics; notably achieving an ultrafast discharge rate of t_0.9–14.6 ns alongside excellent discharge properties (C_D ∼ 1278.66 A/cm², P_D ∼ 191.80 MW/cm³, W_D ∼ 1.57 J/cm³).