Lattice-distortion couplings in antiferroelectric perovskite $ AgNbO_3$ and comparison with $ PbZrO_3$

Lead-free antiferroelectric perovskite AgNbO₃ is nowadays attracting extensive research interests due to its promising applications in energy storage. Although great progress has been made in optimizing the material performance, fundamental questions remain regarding the mechanism stabilizing the antiferroelectric $Pbcm$ phase. Here, combining structural symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identified crucial anharmonic couplings of oxygen octahedra rotations and cation antipolar motions which contribute significantly to lowering the energy of the $Pbcm$ phase. The stabilization of this phase shows close similarities with the stabilization of the $Pbam$ phase in PbZrO₃ except that in AgNbO₃ the octahedra rotations are the primary distortions while the antipolar cation motions appear to be secondary. The appearance and significant amplitude of the latter are explained from the combination of hybrid-improper and triggered mechanisms.