Field induced phase transitions and energy harvesting performance of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 single crystal

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 (PLZST) single crystals with composition close to the morphotropic phase boundary had been grown by the flux method. The antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase switching electric field was 0.8 kV/mm. Temperature-dependent dielectric and polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops revealed that the electric field induced ferroelectric phase could transform back into the antiferroelectric phase at depolarization temperature (145 °C). An enhanced pyroelectric coefficient value of 1.46 μC/cm2/K was obtained at 145 °C, which is several times larger than that of conventional pyroelectric materials. Furthermore, multiple peak pyroelectric responses and an enhanced harvested energy density value of 0.4 J/cm3 were achieved in the PLZST crystal. The enhanced harvested energy density and multiple peak pyroelectric responses make the PLZST crystal a promising candidate for high sensitive temperature sensors and energy conversion technologies.