Ceramic-based dielectrics for electrostatic energy storage applications: Fundamental aspects, recent progress, and remaining challenges

Dielectric capacitors for electrostatic energy storage are fundamental to advanced electronics and high-power electrical systems due to remarkable characteristics of ultrafast charging-discharging rates and ultrahigh power densities. High-end dielectric capacitors with excellent energy storage performance are urgently desirable to satisfy ever growing demands for miniaturization and integration of electronic and electrical systems. Herein, we present a panoramic review to the recent progress of ceramic-based dielectrics in the forms of solid solutions, composites, films and multilayer ceramic capacitors. This paper summarizes the fundamentals of dielectric ceramics, including ultimate principles, primary parameters, key influence factors, typical ferroic material systems, and referrible structure, where the strategic emphases are focused on the structure–property relation on the multiscale. Finally, this review elaborates the challenges for current dielectrics and opportunities for future dielectrics.