Effect of La and Sc co-doping on dielectric and ferroelectric properties of PZT for energy storage capacitors

• Published in: Journal of applied physics Vol. 130; no. 3
• Main Authors: Bhattarai, Mohan K., Pavunny, Shojan P., Katiyar, Ram S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 21.07.2021
• Subjects: Applied physics; Bulk density; Capacitors; Electric fields; Energy storage; Ferroelectric materials; Ferroelectricity; Flux density; Lead zirconate titanates; Permittivity; Polarization; Room temperature; Silver
• ISSN: 0021-8979; 1089-7550
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0053176

In this work, we report a systematic study of complex La3+ and Sc3+ doped lead zirconate titanate ceramics with the stoichiometric formula (PbZr0.53Ti0.47)0.90 (LaxSc1−x)0.10O3−δ for x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 denoted as PLZTS2, PLZTS4, PLZTS6, and PLZTS8, respectively (abbreviated as PLZTS10x), synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. We carried out dielectric measurements on Ag/PLZTS10x/Ag metal–ferroelectric–metal capacitors as a function of temperature (100–650 K) and frequency (102–106 Hz). Upon increasing La3+ concentration, the dielectric constant was found to be increased up to x = 0.6 and attained the highest value of ∼1800 at room temperature, and consequently, the highest saturation polarization was observed. The relaxor behavior of PLZTS8 can be attributed to the polar nano regions created in the materials. A recoverable energy density of ∼1162 mJ/cm3 with an excellent efficiency of ∼79% was achieved under an applied electric field of 97 kV/cm. The demonstrated high dielectric constant (ɛ′), spontaneous polarization (Ps), and energy density make these bulk materials promising for ferroelectric memory and energy-storage applications.