Superior energy-storage performance in BaTiO3-based MLCCs via high-entropy driven multiscale optimization

Abstract

Multilayer ceramic capacitors are essential components in modern electronic devices. However, achieving superior performance under high-temperature and high-electric-field remains a huge challenge due to the increased leakage current and limited breakdown strength. Herein, a high-entropy driven multiscale optimization strategy is proposed for lead-free multilayer ceramic capacitors. This approach integrates multiple elements into both A- and B-sites at the atomic scale, engineers polymorphic domain coexistence at the phase scale, and introduces a uniform SiO2 coating layer on grain surfaces to form a core–shell structure while refining grain size at the grain scale. Furthermore, a SiO2 barrier layer is constructed between the electrodes and ceramics at the device scale. Remarkably, high-entropy BaTiO3-based Multilayer ceramic capacitors achieve an ultra-high energy density of 19.8 J·cm−3 and a high efficiency of 89.3% at 1421 kV·cm−1, along with an outstanding high-temperature energy storage performance. The high-entropy driven multiscale optimization strategy offers a universal approach to enhancing the overall energy storage performance of advanced dielectric capacitors. The authors propose a high-entropy driven multiscale optimization strategy to achieve recoverable energy density of 19.8 J·cm−3 and efficiency of 89.3% with excellent thermal and cycling stability in ceramic capacitors.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Nature Communications, 2026 · DOI ↗