Enhancement of Energy Storage Properties in PLZST Cramics with Different Zr/Sn Ratios

Abstract

The effect of Zr/Sn ratio on the dielectric and energy storage properties of lanthanum modified lead zirconate stannate titanate (PLZST) ceramics with compositions located near the boundary between antiferroelectric and ferroelectric phases was studied. Microstructural observation indicated that all the samples had a uniform morphology with pure perovskite phase and the average grain size reduced obviously with increasing Zr/Sn ratio. As the Zr/Sn ratio increased, the dielectric constant increased and the transition temperature Tm shifted to higher temperature. All the PLZST ceramics exhibited double hysteresis loops. The maximum polarization increased, while the switching field decreased when the Zr/Sn ratio increased. The variations of Zr/Sn ratio had little impact on remanent polarization. As a result, both charged energy density and discharged energy density increased with increasing Zr/Sn ratio. A high energy storage density of 1.75 J/cm3 was achieved in the PLZST ceramics with the Zr/Sn ratio of 82.5/7.5 at 9 kV/mm.