Tunable Pyroelectricity around the Ferroelectric/Antiferroelectric Transition

Abstract

The pyroelectric performance of Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)0.92Ti0.08]0.98O3 ceramics was quantified by dielectric, polarization, and specific heat capacity measurements. The tunability of pyroelectric properties upon electric field application was studied as a function of temperature. The large pyroelectric coefficient of 0.28 C m−2 K−1 was associated with the ferroelectric (FE)–antiferroelectric (AFE) phase transition. The pyroelectric coefficient can be tuned over a broad temperature range of almost 40 K above the zero electric field phase transition. Electrical and thermal measurements were used to estimate various pyroelectric figures of merit. Pyroelectric figures of merit are almost three order of magnitude higher than those previously reported in FE materials. The large pyroelectric properties indicate that the investigated material is a promising candidate for many pyroelectric applications.

High pyroelectric performance in Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)0.94Ti0.06]0.98O3/Al2O3 composites by design

“…17,18 As the introduction of Al 2 O 3 , an additional dielectric anomaly peak appears at 37 • C for x = 0.1 ceramics, which is considered to be caused by the FE transition into anti-FE phase. 10,15 When the FE phase is transformed into anti-FE phase, the remanent polarization P r abruptly drops to zero, which induces a large amount of polarization charges to be released, so that the abnormal dielectric peak is observed. When x is equal to 0.2, the FE-anti-FE phase transition temperature (T FE-anti-FE ) moves toward high temperature and reaches to 53 • C. The reason can be attributed to the internal stress generated by Al 2 O 3 .…”

“…obtained an extremely large pyroelectric coefficient of 0.28 C⋅cm −2 ⋅K −1 at 50 • C in Pb 0.99 Nb 0.02 [(Zr 0.57 Sn 0.43 ) 0.92 Ti 0.08 ] 0.98 O 3 ceramics via tuning FE-anti-FE phase transition. 10 However, the pyroelectric coefficient at RT is still not high enough for artificial intelligence or implantable medical devices, and the full width of half maximum for the pyroelectric coefficient peak near the phase transition is also relatively narrow. Hence, enhancement of RT or human body temperature (HBT) pyroelectric properties is still in demand.…”

In situ TEM observation on the ferroelectric‐antiferroelectric transition in Pb(Nb,Zr,Sn,Ti)O3/ZnO

“…The pyroelectric infrared devices are typically operated at room temperature to human‐body temperature, so the active material is desired to have the pyroelectric response peaks at ∼35°C. Even though extensive efforts have been made, 10–14 especially on lead‐free pyroelectric materials, 15–18 design and development of next generation ceramics for even higher pyroelectric performance at this target temperature is still of interest.…”

“…Pyroelectric materials are widely used in infrared applications, including detectors, sensors, thermal imaging systems [1][2][3] ; besides, they are also in high demand in fire alarms, gas analyzers, pollution monitors, as well as energy harvesters. [4][5][6][7][8][9] The pyroelectric infrared devices are typically operated at room temperature to human-body temperature, so the active material is desired to have the pyroelectric response peaks at ∼35 • C. Even though extensive efforts have been made, [10][11][12][13][14] especially on lead-free pyroelectric materials, [15][16][17][18] design and development of next generation ceramics for even higher pyroelectric performance at this target temperature is still of interest.…”

Significantly enhanced pyroelectric performance in novel sodium niobate‐based lead‐free ceramics by compositional tuning

“…Moreover, there is a close relationship between pyroelectric coefficient and electrocaloric effect based on the thermodynamic Maxwell relation . The most extensively used pyroelectric materials include lead (Pb)‐based ceramic systems such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 (PZT) and PZT‐based multicomponent ceramics . However, environmental problems associated with lead‐containing materials are becoming increasingly severe and a matter of considerable public concern.…”