Ultrahigh energy storage in multilayer capacitors with a self-assembled glass-like matrix and polar clusters

The development of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) with high energy storage performance (ESP) is crucial for keeping pace with the ongoing trend toward miniaturization and integration in next-generation pulsed-power systems. Nevertheless, current research strategies of tailoring device performance based on bulk ceramic properties typically involve premature polarization saturation and limit the potential for performance breakthroughs in MLCCs. To address this issue, we construct a novel polarization configuration comprising polar clusters embedded within a glass-like matrix. This configuration successfully enables high-polarity near-linear characteristics under high electric fields, avoiding the energy density limitations imposed by premature polarization saturation in conventional relaxors. As a result, the fabricated MLCCs exhibit ultrahigh ESP with a recoverable energy density of 24.8 J cm⁻³ and an efficiency of 92.4%, along with exceptional reliability and discharge characteristics, demonstrating enormous application potential. This work highlights the superiority of developing high-polarity near-linear dielectrics over existing strategies for achieving ultrahigh-ESP MLCCs and proposes a feasible approach via high-entropy engineering to construct a self-assembled glass-like matrix and polar clusters.