Giant Energy Density via Mechanically Tailored Relaxor Ferroelectric Behavior of PZT Thick Film.

Relaxor ferroelectrics (RFEs) are being actively investigated for energy-storage applications due to their large electric-field-induced polarization with slim hysteresis and fast energy charging-discharging capability. Here, a novel nanograin engineering approach based upon high kinetic energy deposition is reported, for mechanically inducing the RFE behavior in a normal ferroelectric Pb(Zr Ti )O (PZT), which results in simultaneous enhancement in the dielectric breakdown strength (E ) and polarization. Mechanically transformed relaxor thick films with 4 µm thickness exhibit an exceptional E of 540 MV m and reduced hysteresis with large unsaturated polarization (103.

Intense Pulsed Light Thermal Treatment of Pb(Zr,Ti)O /Metglas Heterostructured Films Resulting in Extreme Magnetoelectric Coupling of over 20 V cm Oe.

Magnetoelectric (ME) film composites consisting of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials are promising candidates for application in magnetic field sensors, energy harvesters, and ME antennas. Conventionally, high-temperature annealing is required to crystallize piezoelectric films, restricting the use of heat-sensitive magnetostrictive substrates that enhance ME coupling. Herein, a synergetic approach is demonstrated for fabricating ME film composites that combines aerosol deposition and instantaneous thermal treatment based on intense pulsed light (IPL) radiation to form piezoelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O (PZT) thick films on an amorphous Metglas substrate.

Enhancement of Magnetoelectric Conversion Achieved by Optimization of Interfacial Adhesion Layer in Laminate Composites.

We report the effect of epoxy adhesion layers with different mechanical or physical property on a magnetoelectric (ME) composite laminate composed of FeBSi alloy (Metglas)/single-crystal Pb(MgNb)O-Pb(Zr,Ti)O/Metglas to achieve an improved ME conversion performance. Through theoretical simulation, it was revealed that the Young's modulus and the thickness of interfacial adhesives were major parameters that influence the conversion efficiency in ME composites. In the experimental evaluation, we utilized three epoxy materials with a distinct Young's modulus and adjusted the average thickness of the adhesion layers to optimize the ME conversion.

Boosting the Recoverable Energy Density of Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramic Thick Films through Artificially Induced Quasi-Relaxor Behavior.

Dielectric ceramic film capacitors, which store energy in the form of electric polarization, are promising for miniature pulsed power electronic device applications. For a superior energy storage performance of the capacitors, large recoverable energy density, along with high efficiency, high power density, fast charge/discharge rate, and good thermal/fatigue stability, is desired. Herein, we present highly dense lead-free 0.

Laser Irradiation of Metal Oxide Films and Nanostructures: Applications and Advances.

Recent technological advances in developing a diverse range of lasers have opened new avenues in material processing. Laser processing of materials involves their exposure to rapid and localized energy, which creates conditions of electronic and thermodynamic nonequilibrium. The laser-induced heat can be localized in space and time, enabling excellent control over the manipulation of materials.

Enhanced Self-Biased Magnetoelectric Coupling in Laser-Annealed Pb(Zr,Ti)O Thick Film Deposited on Ni Foil.

Enhanced and self-biased magnetoelectric (ME) coupling is demonstrated in a laminate heterostructure comprising 4 μm-thick Pb(Zr,Ti)O (PZT) film deposited on 50 μm-thick flexible nickel (Ni) foil. A unique fabrication approach, combining room temperature deposition of PZT film by granule spray in vacuum (GSV) process and localized thermal treatment of the film by laser radiation, is utilized. This approach addresses the challenges in integrating ceramic films on metal substrates, which is often limited by the interfacial chemical reactions occurring at high processing temperatures.

Unleashing the Full Potential of Magnetoelectric Coupling in Film Heterostructures.

A record-high, near-theoretical intrinsic magnetoelectric (ME) coupling of 7 V cm Oe is achieved in a heterostructure of piezoelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O (PZT) film deposited on magnetostrictive Metglas (FeBSi). The anchor-like, nanostructured interface between PZT and Metglas, improved crystallinity of PZT by laser annealing, and optimum volume of crystalline PZT are found to be the key factors in realizing such a giant strain-mediated ME coupling.