Enhanced energy-storage performance of Pb0.925La0.05Zr0.95Ti0.05@xwt%SiO2 composite ceramics

Abstract Pb0.925La0.05Zr0.95Ti0.05@xwt%SiO2 (PLZT@xwt%SiO2, x = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, marked as S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 respectively) ceramics were prepared by combining conventional sol-gel method with Stober method, the microstructure, electrical properties and energy storage characteristics were comparatively investigated. TEM analysis prove that samples S1, S2 and S3 present core-shell structures. SEM results indicate that SiO2 weakens the crystallinity of the ceramics and restricts the grain growth of all the specimens. When the concentration of SiO2 is 3 wt%, the sample shows better energy storage characteristics, the value of Wre of this sample can reach 2.29 J/cm3; In addition, temperature (T) will induce a phase change in the sample. When T