Energy storage properties of PLZST-based antiferroelectric ceramics with glass additives for low-temperature sintering

PLZST-based antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics with high recoverable energy density (W_re) and efficiency (η) can be applied to pulsed power electronic devices. However, this application is constrained by the high sintering temperature (ST, 1250–1320 °C) of the ceramics per se. In this context, this study introduced a new glass phase of Ba₂CO₃–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–K₂CO₃ (BASK) into Pb_0.95La_0.02Sr_0.02(Zr_0.50Sn_0.40Ti_0.10)O₃ (PLSZST) AFE ceramics by using a traditional solid-state method. By doping 0.5 wt% BASK, the ST of PLSZST ceramics was significantly reduced from 1300 °C to 1020 °C and a high W_re of 3.54 J/cm³ and a high η of 86% were yield, when the electric breakdown strength increased to 230 kV/cm. In addition, a pulse discharge energy density of 2.47 J/cm³, and an extremely fast discharge speed (<0.5 μs), as well as acceptable thermal stabilities of both W_re and η within 30–110 °C temperature range, were achieved. Conclusively, this AFE ceramic composition with glass additives has a great potential to be used in base metal inner-electrode multilayer ceramic capacitors for pulse power applications.