Superior energy storage performance in lead-free NaNbO 3 -based multilayer ceramic capacitors enabled by relaxor-to-superparaelectric crossover

Abstract Dielectric ceramic capacitors are promising for pulsed-power electronics owing to their high power density and rapid charge−discharge, yet their wider application is limited by a relatively low recoverable energy density (Wrec) and difficulty in simultaneously achieving high Wrec and high energy efficiency (η). Herein, a relaxor-to-superparaelectric crossover is engineered in NaNbO3–(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3–BaZrO3 multilayer ceramics, yielding an impressive Wrec of ~16.5 J·cm−3, a superior η of ~96.2% and a large Wrec/E merit value of 206.3 J·(kV)−1·mm−2. Multiscale structural analysis reveals that the introduced (Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 and BaZrO3 stabilize the ferroelectric phase, disrupt long-range polar order, and shift the dielectric permittivity maximum close to room temperature, collectively creating a relaxor–superparaelectric transitional state composed of heterogeneous polar nanoregions (PNRs) with diverse symmetries and sizes. These PNRs exhibit highly dispersive reorientation dynamics under electric fields and thus enable high maximum polarization and simultaneously minimum hysteresis, accounting for the concurrent enhancement in both Wrec and η. Furthermore, the broad thermal stability range of this transitional state leads to excellent temperature-insensitive performance from 25 to 150 °C (Wrec = 8.5 J·cm ±3.2%, η = 96.1%±2.8%). This work demonstrates a viable material strategy for engineering relaxor–superparaelectric crossover to develop high-performance dielectric ceramics for advanced energy storage.