Improved energy storage performance and thermal stability of hafnium-substituted strontium sodium niobate tungsten bronze ceramics

Abstract

Dielectric capacitors are widely used in the field of pulsed power systems owing to their ultra-fast charge and discharge capacity; however, considering the complex environment they face in practical applications, how to further improve their thermal stability is an urgent issue that needs to be solved. Tungsten bronzes have the potential to broaden the temperature stability range owing to their unique structure, but only few studies have focused on them. Herein, lead-free Sr_4−xLa_xNa₂Hf_xNb_10−xO₃₀ ceramics with a tungsten bronze structure were synthesized, and their energy storage properties were comprehensively characterized. With proper Hf substitution in the B site and rare earth substitution in the A site, significantly enhanced relaxor behavior is induced, leading to a broad plateau of the dielectric curve, slim polarization–electric field loop, high energy storage efficiency and stable capacitive performance over a wide temperature range. In addition, an improved microstructure with fewer defects, decreased average grain size, increased band gap and resistance were obtained, which benefit to the increase in breakdown strength and energy storage density. Finally, improved energy storage performance and thermal stability were achieved for the compounds, with W_total = 3.6 J cm⁻³, W_rec = 2.9 J cm⁻³, η = 80% and stable temperature range = 20–160 °C. Thus, the current system is a promising candidate for application in temperature-stable dielectric capacitors.