Samarium-modified PLZST-based antiferroelectric energy storage ceramics for low-temperature sintering in reducing atmosphere

The energy storage properties of pure PLZST-based antiferroelectric ceramics are excellent; however, the high sintering temperature renders them unsuitable for co-firing with copper inner electrodes as MLCC dielectric materials. The proven BASK glass additive was employed in this study to lower the sintering temperature of PLSZT ceramics, while simultaneously doping Sm³⁺ ions to enhance their sintering performance under reducing atmospheres. The precise evaluation process confirmed that the addition of glass effectively reduced the sintering temperature to 1040 °C. Furthermore, the defect association of Sm³⁺ doping hindered the formation of oxygen vacancies, facilitated ceramic grain growth, and significantly enhanced insulation resistivity. Consequently, an ultrahigh recoverable energy density (W_rec) of 5.19 J/cm³ with a high energy storage efficiency (η) of 94.5% are achieved at an electric field of 430 kV/cm. Moreover, the AFE ceramics possess excellent discharge energy storage properties with a high discharge energy density (W_d) of 4.26 J/cm³ and a large power density (P_d) of 139 MW/cm³.