Tailoring the dielectric and energy storage properties in BaTiO3/BaZrO3 superlattices

[BaTiO3]Λ/2/[BaZrO3]Λ/2 superlattices (SLs) were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique and their dielectric tunability, ferroelectric, and energy storage properties were investigated by varying the modulation periodicity (Λ). The maximum dielectric tunability was obtained for the weakest periods accompanied by an energy storage density around 5 J/cm3 and an efficiency of η = 80% at room temperature. For the intermediate periods, the SLs present normal ferroelectric behavior with high Pr and Ec leading to lower energy storage properties. High and stable energy storage density and efficiency can be reached by applying high electric field for the SLs with weak periods which makes these systems very promising for energy storage capacitors applications.