Abstract

Lead-free ceramic capacitors offer ultrahigh power density and ultrafast discharging rates, making them critical energy storage components for advanced pulsed power systems. However, the greatest obstacle to broader applications remains the relatively low energy storage density. In this study, a relaxor ferroelectric ceramic based on (0.6-x)Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3-0.4Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-xSrZrO3 ((0.6-x)BST-0.4BNT-xSZ) is prepared using the tape casting method, resulting in an excellent energy density (Wrec ≈ 10.0 J cm−3) and high energy storage efficiency (η ≈ 91 %). The solid solution of linear dielectrics SrZrO3 synergistically regulates both relaxor properties and breakdown strength. The variation of relaxor property was explored utilizing New Glass model and the multi-polarization model, with confirmation provided by piezoresponse force microscopy. Furthermore, the breakdown strength could be attributed to improvements in electric insulation and the widening of the bandgap. As SrZrO3 content increases, the in-situ emergence of the second phase ZrO2, accompanied by a martensitic transformation, not only improves the fracture toughness of ceramics but also serves to elongate the breakdown path. Encouragingly, x = 0.20 ceramics also achieve excellent temperature stability (−95–125 ℃), frequency stability (1–1000 Hz), cycling reliability (1–106 cycles), and great charging-discharging properties. This multiscale synergic regulation strategy plays a guiding role in the screening of high-performance energy storage dielectric materials.