Improving energy storage performance of PbZrO3-Al2O3 composite thin films by regulating distribution of Al2O3 nanoparticles

A key factor affecting the energy storage performance of antiferroelectric materials is their electrical breakdown strength. Nanocomposition is one of the effective methods to improve the electrical breakdown strength of dielectric thin films. In this study, PbZrO₃‒Al₂O₃ nanoparticle composite films were prepared by combining chemical solution deposition of PbZrO₃ and vacuum evaporation deposition of Al, and the influence of size and distribution of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) on electrical properties was investigated. The results show that the Al₂O₃ NPs are distributed in a layered form on the PZO matrix, and their distribution can be controlled by changing the thickness of PZO coatings. As the coating thickness decreases and the coating interface increases, the distribution of Al₂O₃ NPs becomes more uniform, resulting in a significant increase in maximum polarization and electrical breakdown strength, and a decrease in leakage current density, thereby enhancing the energy storage performance of the PbZrO₃-Al₂O₃ composite films. The results indicate that the regulation of the microstructure of dielectric composite films is of great significance for improving their energy storage performance.

Graphical Abstract

The P-E hysteresis loops and polarization current curves of the PZO film (a) and the PZO-AO composite films of (b) PZO4-AO, (c) PZO5-AO, and (d) PZO6-AO.