High energy storage properties of lead-free Mn-doped (1-x)AgNbO3-xBi0.5Na0.5TiO3 antiferroelectric ceramics

In this work, 0.2 wt.% Mn-doped (1-x)AgNbO3-xBi(0.5)Na(0.5)TiO(3) (x = 0.00-0.04) ceramics were synthesized via solid state reaction method in flowing oxygen. The evolution of microstructure, phase transition and energy storage properties were investigated to evaluate the potential as high energy storage capacitors. Relaxor ferroelectric Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 was introduced to stabilize the antiferroelectric state through modulating the M-1-M-2 phase transition. Enhanced energy storage performance was achieved for the 3 mol% Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 doped AgNbO3 ceramic with high recoverable energy density of 3.4 J/cm(3) and energy efficiency of 62% under an applied field of 220 kV/cm. The improved energy storage performance can be attributed to the stabilized antiferroelectricity and decreased electrical hysteresis Delta E. In addition, the ceramics also displayed excellent thermal stability with low energy density variation (< 6%) over a wide temperature range of 20 - 80 degrees C. These results indicate that Mn-doped (1-x)AgNbO3-xBi(0.5)Na(0.5)TiO(3) ceramics are highly efficient lead-free antiferroelectric materials for potential application in high energy storage capacitors.