Effects of phase transition on discharge properties of PLZST antiferroelectric ceramics

The effects of electric field-induced phase transition on discharge properties of Pb0.94La0.04[(Zr(0.52)Sn(0.4)8)(0.84)Ti-0.16]O-3 antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics were investigated. Due to the forward phase transition, high polarization and energy density are achieved. The backward phase transition results in nonlinear increase of current in underdamped circuit. The stored charge (14.2 mu C under 40 kV/cm at 22 degrees C) can be released completely in very short duration due to the low remanent polarization. With increasing temperature, the polarization and releasable energy decline. However, the current amplitude reaches maximum at 40 degrees C, which is attributed to the backward phase transition. The maximum current and power density are as high as 143.8 A/cm(2) and 2.4 MW/cm(3), which indicates the potential of the ceramics for pulsed capacitors.