Synthesis of a New Ferroelectric Relaxor Based on a Combination of Antiferroelectric and Paraelectric Systems

Relaxor ferroelectric-based energy storage systems are promising candidates for advanced applications as a result of their fast speed and high energy storage density. In the research field of ferroelectrics and relaxor ferroelectrics, the concept of solid solution is widely adopted to modify the overall properties and acquire superior performance. However, the combination between antiferroelectric and paraelectric materials was less studied and discussed. In this study, paraelectric barium hafnate (BaHfO₃) and antiferroelectric lead hafnate (PbHfO₃) are selected to demonstrate such a combination. A paraelectric to relaxor ferroelectric, to ferroelectric, and to antiferroelectric transition is observed by varying the composition x in the (Ba_1–xPb_x)­HfO₃ solid solution from 0 to 100%. It is noteworthy that ferroelectric phases can be realized without primal ferroelectric material. This study creates an original solid solution system with a rich spectrum of competing phases and demonstrates an approach to design relaxor ferroelectrics for energy storage applications and beyond.