Ti-doped Pb(Sc0.5Ta0.5)O3thin films for non-linear pyroelectric energy harvesting

Authors

Aravindhan A., Glinsek S., Granzow T., Song L., Nouchokgwe Y., Kovacova V., Defay E.

Reference

Ceramics International, vol. 51, n° 25PC, pp. 47264-47271, 2025

Description

In this study, we investigate the non-linear pyroelectric energy conversion potential of titanium doped lead scandium tantalate Pb(Sc_0.5Ta_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₃(x = 0, 0.05 and 0.1) thin films on c-sapphire substrates using the sol-gel technique. Doping with Ti⁴⁺ions increased the transition temperature from 30 °C (x = 0) to 85 °C (x = 0.1). Indirect measurements using the Olsen cycle indicate that Pb(Sc_0.5Ta_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₃thin films, with x = 0.05 and 0.1, yield energy densities of 2.5 and 3.06 J cm⁻³, respectively. Additionally, they reach up to 30 % and 18 % of Carnot efficiency, respectively, for a 10 K temperature span close to their transition temperatures. Furthermore, these doped films could be incorporated in a multi-stage device to expand the harvesting temperature range and enhance the performance of the device. A 27 % increase in energy output is calculated for a three-stage device using Pb(Sc_0.5Ta_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₃(x = 0, 0.05, and 0.1) compared to a similar device consisting of undoped thin films (x = 0) under identical electrical and thermal cycling conditions. These results highlight the potential of Pb(Sc_0.5Ta_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₃thin films and show promise for developing Pb(Sc_0.5Ta_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₃multilayer capacitors to realize macroscopic multi-material cascade devices with varying transition temperatures for efficient thermal energy harvesting in the future.

Link

doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.07.429