Ultra-high energy storage in lead-free NaNbO<sub>3</sub>-based relaxor ceramics with directional slush-like polar structures design.

Wang, Zhentao; Li, Da; Liu, Wenyuan; He, Liqiang; Xu, Diming; Liu, Jinnan; Ren, Jiajia; Wang, Xin et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Multilayer ceramic capacitors with ultra-high-power densities are widely used in electronic power systems. However, achieving a balance between high energy density and efficiency remains a substantial challenge that limits the practical application of advanced technologies. Here, guided by a phase-field simulation method, we propose a directional slush-like polar structure design with nanodomains embedded in polar orthorhombic matrix in NaNbO<sub>3</sub>-based lead-free multilayer ceramic capacitors. This strategy can effectively reduce the hysteresis loss by lowering domain size and improve the breakdown electric field by grain refining, which leads to a high energy storage density of 14.1 J▪cm<sup>-3</sup> and an ultrahigh energy storage efficiency of 96.8% in multilayer ceramic capacitors. The proposed strategy can be utilized to design high-performance energy storage dielectrics and other related functionalities.