Enhanced energy-storage performance of Pb0.925La0.05Zr0.95Ti0.05@xwt% SiO2 composite ceramics

Pb0.925La0.05Zr0.95Ti0.05@xwt%SiO2 (PLZT@xwt%SiO2, x = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, marked as S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 respectively) ceramics were prepared by combining conventional sol-gel method with Stober method, the microstructure, electrical properties and energy storage characteristics were comparatively investigated. TEM analysis prove that samples S1, S2 and S3 present core-shell structures. SEM results indicate that SiO2 weakens the crystallinity of the ceramics and restricts the grain growth of all the specimens. When the concentration of SiO2 is 3 wt%, the sample shows better energy storage characteristics, the value of W-re of this sample can reach 2.29 J/cm(3); In addition, temperature (T) will induce a phase change in the sample. When T < 50 degrees C, sample S3 is ferroelectric phase, when T is in the range of 50-130 degrees C, sample S3 is coexistence of anti-ferroelectric and ferroelectric phase, showing double electric hysteresis loops. In this temperature range, the temperature stability of sample S3 is the poorest, and the increases in W-re density and eta are 317.39% and 25.04%, respectively. The core-shell structure samples prepared by the Stober method can increase the energy storage density by reducing the turnover electric field. The energy storage density has increased from 0.3 J/cm(3) to 2.29 J/cm(3). (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

PLZT@SiO2 ceramics were prepared by combining sol-gel and Stober methods, with the addition of SiO2 improving energy storage characteristics. The presence of SiO2 weakened crystallinity and restricted grain growth, while an optimal SiO2 concentration led to enhanced energy storage performance.