Near-Zero Energy Consumption Capacitors by Controlling Inhomogeneous Polarization Configuration

Taking into account the need for energy conservation, achieving near-zero energy loss, namely ultrahigh efficiency (η), in energy storage capacitors with large recoverable energy storage density (W_rec) plays an important role in applications, which is one of the major challenges in dielectric energy storage field. Here, guided by phase-field simulation, inhomogeneous polarization configuration with multiple symmetries and polarization magnitudes is controlled through aliovalent strongly polar double ion design to establish a strongly disordered state. A record-high η of ≈97.4% is realized in lead-free relaxors with a large W_rec of ≈8.6 J cm^-3, which also give a giant W_rec of ≈11.6 J cm^-3 with an ultrahigh η of ≈96.1% through high-energy ball milling, showing a breakthrough progress in ceramic capacitors with a maximum figure of merit of 330. This work demonstrates that controlling inhomogeneous polarization configuration is an effective avenue to develop new high-performance near-zero energy loss energy storage capacitors.