@article{Cai2026, 
author = {Zhenhao Cai and Saiwei Luan and Huizhen He and Wentao Huai and Zhouyi Xu and Zhangping Wu and Jun Yang and Zhenxiao Fu and Xiuhua Cao and Lei Zhang and Rong Sun},
title = {Synergistic enhancement of dielectric properties and reliability of BaTiO3-based MLCC via compositional gradient design and nano-domain engineering},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Advanced Ceramics},
keywords = {Compositional gradient design, Nano-domain engineering, BaTiO3-based MLCCs, Breakdown strength, Temperature stability (X8R), Oxygen vacancy confinement},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/JAC.2026.9221319},
doi = {10.26599/JAC.2026.9221319},
abstract = {Dielectrics with high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and good temperature stability are essential for BaTiO3-based MLCCs to meet the escalating demands of 5G communication technologies. However, challenges remain in further optimizing dielectric properties due to the correlation between these parameters. This study proposes a synergistic design strategy that overcomes this limitation through the coupling of compositional gradient control and nano-domain engineering. An optimized 900 ℃ pre-sintering process enables precise structural regulation, forming a tetragonal barium titanate core surrounded by a dopant-enriched graded compositional-gradient shell structure. Atomic-scale analysis confirms that the gradient design achieves directional distribution of Y/Mg/Mn dopants, stabilizes the highly tetragonal core, and confines oxygen vacancy-related defects to the shell region. This defect-localization effect suppresses long-range vacancy migration, thereby significantly enhancing insulation resistance and breakdown strength. Concurrently, the formation of relaxor-like polar nanodomains not only contributes to high dielectric constant but also optimizes the temperature stability of dielectric constant. Ultimately, the prepared ceramic materials exhibit a high dielectric constant (εr > 2200), excellent thermal stability meeting X8R standards (−55–150 ℃, ΔC/C25℃ ≤ ±15%), and enhanced breakdown strength (> 6.7 kV/mm). This finding implies that the synergistic regulation of compositional gradients and nano-domain engineering may be a promising strategy for designing both high capacitance and robust reliability dielectric materials and provides a broad opportunity for the development of other dielectric materials.}
}