Breaking polarization-breakdown strength paradox for ultrahigh energy storage density in NBT-based ceramics

Abstract Dielectric capacitors are crucial in contemporary electronic devices for storing and recycling electric energy. However, their energy-storage density is significantly hindered by the paradox between polarization (P) and breakdown strength (E b). Herein, we propose a strategy to overcome the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wenjun Cao, Yanwei Wu, Xiaoyu Yang, Daqin Guan, Xuecen Huang, Feng Li, Youmin Guo, Chunchang Wang, Binghui Ge, Xu Hou, Zhenxiang Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61030-7
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Summary:Abstract Dielectric capacitors are crucial in contemporary electronic devices for storing and recycling electric energy. However, their energy-storage density is significantly hindered by the paradox between polarization (P) and breakdown strength (E b). Herein, we propose a strategy to overcome the paradox through a unique high-entropy design aimed at regulating phase structure and minimizing interfacial polarization. This approach ensures an ample polar phase while providing a sufficiently high field to induce a transition from antiferroelectric to ferroelectric, significantly enhancing polarization. This strategy has been successfully applied to the Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) system, modified by high-entropy material (Na1/6Bi1/6Ca1/6Sr1/6Nd1/6Li1/6)TiO3 (NBCSNLT). For the (1-x)NBT-xNBCSNLT bulk ceramics, our findings indicate that E b consistently increases with the NBCSNLT content, effectively resolving the paradox for electric field above 550 kV/cm. This leads to simultaneously high E b and large P. Consequently, an ultrahigh recoverable energy-storage density (W rec) of 18.2 J/cm3, a high efficiency (η) of 85.6%, and a record-breaking energy-storage potential (W rec/E b) value of 0.026 mC/cm2, were achieved in the bulk 0.55NBCSNLT. Additionally, this sample exhibited excellent temperature/frequency stability. This strategy provides an effective pathway for surmounting the P-E b paradox, paving the way for ultrahigh energy-storage density.
ISSN:2041-1723