Achieving Excellent Energy Storage and Discharge Performance in PbHfO₃-Based Antiferroelectric Ceramics via Optimization of Parameters

Antiferroelectric (AFE) materials demonstrate potential application in pulse power systems and energy-storage devices due to outstanding power density ( P D ) and rapid charge–discharge capability. Simultaneously achieving a high discharge energy density ( W dis ) and large energy-storage density in AFE ceramics remains a key research focus. In this work, a method for optimizing parameters is proposed for ameliorating the grain size of the ceramic and enhancing antiferroelectricity, ultimately enhancing the energy-storage density and breakdown strength ( E b ). Therefore, an excellent recoverable energy density ( W rec ) of 13.6 J/cm 3 and a large energy efficiency (η) of 82% along with outstanding thermal and frequency stabilities are simultaneously achieved in (Pb 0.96 La 0.02 Ca 0.02 )(Hf 0.9 Sn 0.1 )O 3 (C1) AFE ceramics at a maximum electric field. The multistage field-induced phase transition phenomenon is detected at the polarization–electric field ( P – E ) hysteresis loop of the C1 ceramic. Meanwhile, a superior P D of 314.6 MW/cm 3 and an excellent W dis of 9.05 J/cm 3 as well as a rapid discharge time (84 ns) are also obtained in the C1 ceramic at 380 kV/cm. The results highlight the potential of (Pb 0.98– x La 0.02 Ca x )(Hf 0.9 Sn 0.1 )O 3 AFE ceramics for pulsed power systems and energy-storage applications.