Giant energy-storage density with ultrahigh efficiency in lead-free relaxors via high-entropy design

Abstract Next-generation advanced high/pulsed power capacitors rely heavily on dielectric ceramics with high energy storage performance. However, thus far, the huge challenge of realizing ultrahigh recoverable energy storage density ( W rec ) accompanied by ultrahigh efficiency ( η ) still existed and has become a key bottleneck restricting the development of dielectric materials in cutting-edge energy storage applications. Here, we propose a high-entropy strategy to design “local polymorphic distortion” including rhombohedral-orthorhombic-tetragonal-cubic multiphase nanoclusters and random oxygen octahedral tilt, resulting in ultrasmall polar nanoregions, an enhanced breakdown electric field, and delayed polarization saturation. A giant W rec ~10.06 J cm −3 is realized in lead-free relaxor ferroelectrics, especially with an ultrahigh η ~90.8%, showing breakthrough progress in the comprehensive energy storage performance for lead-free bulk ceramics. This work opens up an effective avenue to design dielectric materials with ultrahigh comprehensive energy storage performance to meet the demanding requirements of advanced energy storage applications.