Large field-induced strain, giant strain memory effect, and high thermal stability energy storage in (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ antiferroelectric single crystal

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O₃ (PLZST) tetragonal antiferroeletric single crystals have been grown by conventional flux method. Phase structure, domain evolution, electric field-induced strain and energy storage properties of the as-grown PLZST crystals with [100] crystallographic orientation have been investigated systematically. A large electric field-induced strain up to 0.76% at 110 °C and a giant memory strain of 0.51% at 100 °C have been realized in the PLZST crystals. This field-induced strain has a nonlinear relationship with the square polarization, which simultaneously stems from the quadratic and higher order electrostrictions. Furthermore, a good thermal stability of energy storage performance with the recoverable energy variation less than 5% in a wide temperature window (105 °C) has been achieved. The combination of high strain and good thermal stability of energy storage wound make the PLZST crystals one of the most important candidates for high temperature electromechanical coupling and high reliability energy-storage devices.