Field induced phase transitions and energy harvesting performance of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ single crystal

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ (PLZST) single crystals with composition close to the morphotropic phase boundary had been grown by the flux method. The antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase switching electric field was 0.8 kV/mm. Temperature-dependent dielectric and polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops revealed that the electric field induced ferroelectric phase could transform back into the antiferroelectric phase at depolarization temperature (145 °C). An enhanced pyroelectric coefficient value of 1.46 μC/cm²/K was obtained at 145 °C, which is several times larger than that of conventional pyroelectric materials. Furthermore, multiple peak pyroelectric responses and an enhanced harvested energy density value of 0.4 J/cm³ were achieved in the PLZST crystal. The enhanced harvested energy density and multiple peak pyroelectric responses make the PLZST crystal a promising candidate for high sensitive temperature sensors and energy conversion technologies.