The effects of R2O3 (R=La, Yb, Gd) on the microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and energy storage properties of Ba0.65Bi0.07Sr0.245TiO3 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics

(1- x )Ba 0.65 Bi 0.07 Sr 0.245 TiO 3 - x R 2 O 3 (BBST- x R) ceramics embellished by lanthanides (La, Yb, Gd) were synthesized in this study, and the effects in properties were ascertained. The results show that lanthanides with smaller ionic radius differences and larger relative mass will effectively limit mass transport of other cations and restrain grain growth. It is also found that the paraelectric phase of ceramics can be stabilized by decreasing the ionic radius of lanthanides. In particular, the addition of La unfolds the exceptional recoverable storage density ( W rec ) up to 2.23 J/cm 3 and efficiency ( η ) of ∼76.7% under 280 kV/cm. Finite element simulation and PFM observation also further explain the reasons for the excellent performance. Concurrently, BBST-0.015La ceramic exhibits outstanding thermostability from 30 °C to 150 °C and frequency stabilization from 1 Hz to 300 Hz which indicates the potentiality of application in actual surroundings.