Abstract Relaxor ferroelectrics (RFEs) are being actively investigated for energy‐storage applications due to their large electric‐field‐induced polarization with slim hysteresis and fast energy charging–discharging capability. Here, a novel nanograin engineering approach based upon high kinetic energy deposition is reported, for mechanically inducing the RFE behavior in a normal ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3(PZT), which results in simultaneous enhancement in the dielectric breakdown strength (EDBS) and polarization. Mechanically transformed relaxor thick films with 4 µm thickness exhibit an exceptionalEDBSof 540 MV m−1and reduced hysteresis with large unsaturated polarization (103.6 µC cm−2), resulting in a record high energy‐storage density of 124.1 J cm−3and a power density of 64.5 MW cm−3. This fundamental advancement is correlated with the generalized nanostructure design that comprises nanocrystalline phases embedded within the amorphous matrix. Microstructure‐tailored ferroelectric behavior overcomes the limitations imposed by traditional compositional design methods and provides a feasible pathway for realization of high‐performance energy‐storage materials.
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Highly Tunable Relaxors Developed from Antiferroelectrics
Abstract Highly responsive, voltage‐tunable dielectrics are essential for microwave‐telecommunication electronics. Ferroelectric/relaxor materials have been leading candidates for such functionality and have exhibited agile dielectric responses. Here, it is demonstrated that relaxor materials developed from antiferroelectrics can achieve both ultrahigh dielectric response and tunability. The system, based on alloying the archetypal antiferroelectric PbZrO3with the dielectric BaZrO3, exhibits a more complex phase evolution than that in traditional relaxors and is characterized by an unconventional multi‐phase competition between antiferroelectric, ferroelectric, and paraelectric order. This interplay of phases can greatly enhance the local heterogeneities and results in relaxor characteristics while preserving considerable polarizability. Upon studying Pb1‐xBaxZrO3forx= 0‐0.45, Pb0.65Ba0.35ZrO3is found to provide for exceptional dielectric tunability under low bias fields (≈81% at 200 kV cm−1and ≈91% at 500 kV cm−1) at 10 kHz, outcompeting most traditional relaxor ferroelectric films. This high tunability is sustained in the radio‐frequency range, resulting in a high commutation quality factor (>2000 at 1 GHz). This work highlights the phase evolution from antiferroelectrics (with lower, “positive” dielectric tunability) to relaxors (with higher, “negative” tunability), underscoring a promising approach to develop relaxors with enhanced functional capabilities and new possibilities.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2329111
- PAR ID:
- 10632480
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials
- Volume:
- 37
- Issue:
- 32
- ISSN:
- 0935-9648
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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