Aerodynamic Levitation Fabrication of BaTiO₃ Relaxor Ferroelectrics for Improved Energy Storage Applications

초록

The demand for high-energy-density materials is increasingly critical, particularly for advanced energy storage and aerospace technologies applications. Relaxor-ferroelectrics are promising candidates due to their ability to exhibit large dielectric constants and energy storage densities, especially near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary (MPB). However, conventional fabrication methods often face significant challenges, such as uncontrolled nucleation, which can lead to phase inhomogeneity and reduced material performance. This study introduces a novel approach using aerodynamic levitation to fabricate BaTiO₃-based relaxor-ferroelectrics. Aerodynamic levitation allows the material to be processed in a levitated state, significantly inhibiting nucleation during cooling, thereby enabling precise control over phase distribution. This method facilitates the formation of a highly homogeneous melt, followed by rapid solidification, resulting in the dense formation of non-equilibrium phases crucial for enhancing relaxor behavior. Our findings demonstrate that we can manipulate the phase distribution by suppressing nucleation even in materials with identical compositions. The resultant relaxor ferroelectric material exhibits superior energy storage capabilities, making it exceptionally suitable for future space-related applications where stability and high energy density are paramount. This study addresses the limitations of traditional fabrication methods and opens new avenues for the application of relaxor ferroelectrics in next-generation energy storage technologies.