A Prime Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramic for Thermal Energy Harvesting: 0.88Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-.02SrTiO3-0.1Bi0.5Li0.5TiO3

Present study unfurls the colossal energy harvesting potential of lead-free 0.88Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-.02SrTiO3-0.1Bi0.5Li0.5TiO3 (BNT-ST-BLT) bulk ceramic using Olsen cycle. This material has been reported for its excellent ferroelectric properties in various aspects. The maximum harness-able energy density for this composition is found to be 2130 J/L in the temperature spectrum of 20–140°C and applied electric field of 0.1-6.0 MV/m. We found that the energy density of this material is 2.6 times higher than the maximum energy density documented for any lead-based ferroelectric ceramics reported to date. Prior to the present study, 8/65/35 PLZT (thick films) was reported for the highest energy density of 888 J/L (temperature range: 25–160°C; applied electric field: 0.2-7.5 MV/m).