Pressure-driven phase transition and energy conversion in ferroelectrics: Principles, materials, and applications

The pressure-driven explosive energy-conversion (EEC) effect of ferroelectric (FE) materials has been extensively studied in scientific research and high-tech applications owing to its high pulse-power output capability. The fundamental principle of this effect is pressure-driven phase transition and depolarization in FE materials, accompanied by discharging behavior from the charge release upon pressure loading. Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ has been an excellent example of a materials exhibiting these properties. However, recent investigations have been focused on developing other lead-based or lead-free materials with a higher energy-storage ability and better temperature stability. In this article, we review the recent progress achieved in the past decades on different types of lead-based and lead-free ceramics, single crystals, and multilayer films, based on their unique pressure-driven phase transition and energy-conversion properties. Their pulse power discharging performance under actual shock-wave compression is also summarized, followed by a detailed discussion of the failure mechanism under shock-wave compression. Finally, several issues and perspectives are proposed for future investigation in this area. All these not only assist in the design of new materials for high-performance EEC but are also helpful for the practical application of these promising materials in pulse-power technologies.