High discharge energy density in novel K1/2Bi1/2TiO3-BiFeO3 based relaxor ferroelectrics

An increasing number of new dielectrics are being reported for the development of next-generation ceramic capacitors for power electronics used in clean energy technologies. Here, high discharge energy density (Wdis) ~6.1 J cm−3 with efficiency (η)~72% under a pulsed field (Emax) of 410 kV cm−1 is reported along with temperature stability up to 150 °C (Emax = 200 kV cm−1) for 0.5 K0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.42BiFeO3-0.08Sm(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 (KBT-BF-SMN) bulk ceramics. The optimised composition is chemically heterogeneous but electrically homogenous, similar to several BiFeO3-based dielectrics reported previously and adding to the growing body of evidence that electrical (measured at weak-field) not chemical homogeneity is the best guide to increased Emax and enhanced energy density. KBT-BF-SMN ceramics are therefore considered as promising candidates for pulsed power and power electronics applications.