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 (Wre) 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 Pb0.95La0.02Sr0.02(Zr0.50Sn0.40Ti0.10)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 Wre 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 Wre 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.