Driven by the development demands of 5G/6G communications and high-frequency RF modules, our group focuses on microwave dielectric ceramics and related devices. We have established a complete technical chain covering material system design, ceramic powder preparation, broadband performance characterization, tape casting and co-firing, device design and performance verification. A series of novel microwave dielectric ceramics with dielectric constants ranging from K4 to K65, high quality factor, favorable temperature stability and superior reliability have been developed.
We have systematically conducted researches on solid solution design, ion substitution, composite ceramics, sintering agent regulation and glass-ceramic modification, realizing the synergistic optimization of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency. Targeting diverse application scenarios, multiple types of microwave dielectric ceramics have been developed, including materials with low permittivity, low loss and high thermal conductivity, as well as those featuring high permittivity, near-zero temperature drift and excellent thermal stability. We have also explored ceramics with reverse temperature drift and negative thermal expansion, and proposed innovative design strategies for temperature stability compensation and multifunctional ceramics. Combined with broadband dielectric measurement, structural characterization and machine learning-assisted screening, the correlation between composition, structure and performance has been established, and the intrinsic mechanisms linking crystal structure, microstructure and high-frequency dielectric response have been thoroughly revealed.
Based on material research, we further investigate powder synthesis, low-temperature sintering, tape casting, co-firing with metal electrodes and multilayer device integration, with full consideration of reliability indicators such as low water absorption, high mechanical strength, low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity. To meet the requirements of different frequency bands and devices, we have fabricated various components applicable to Sub-6 GHz, X-band, millimeter-wave and terahertz bands, including C0G-type multilayer ceramic capacitors, dielectric resonators, dielectric resonator antennas, high-frequency filters, laminated filters, LTCC integrated antennas and array antennas for automotive radar.
Publications:
1、Guo-Qiang He, Chao Du, Zhentao Wang, Zhen Fang, Wei Wang, Zhaochen Xi, Chenchen Wu, Shuwei Ma, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Diming Xu, Song Xia, Yongzheng Wen, Kar Ban Tan, Di Zhou,* BaSc2O4: A Novel AB₂O₄-Type Low-k Microwave Dielectric Ceramic with Giant Positive τf for 5G/6G Frequency Compensation, Advanced Functional Materials, 2026, accepted, https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202528138.
2、Wei Wang, Jian Bao, Changhao Wang, Ziyang Liu, Shuwei Ma, Diming Xu, Biaobing Jin, Zhongqi Shi, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Yawei Chen, Qixin Liang, Meirong Zhang, Di Zhou*, Low-permittivity LiMSiO4 (M = Ga, Sc, Y) Dielectric Ceramic and Microstrip Array Antenna Design for Millimeter-wave Communications, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 2025, 225, 288–296.
3、Di Zhou*, Ling Zhang, Di-Ming Xu, Feng Qiao, Xiaogang Yao, Huixing Lin, Wenfeng Liu, Li-Xia Pang, Fayaz Hussain, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Yawei Chen, Qixin Liang, Meirong Zhang, Ian M. Reaney*, Novel Method to Achieve Temperature Stable Microwave Dielectric Ceramics: A Case in Fergusonite Structured NdNbO4 System, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2023, 15, 19129–19136.
4、Chao Du, Shaofei Wang, Yongqiang Pang,* Zhongxiang Shen,* Kaida Xu, ZhijiWang, Tao Zhou, Song Xia, Di Zhou,⁎ Radiofrequency Transparent Uniaxial Dual-Polarized Metasurface with Ultrawide Brewster Angle Stability, Laser & Photonics Reviews, 2025, 19, 2500190.
5、Kaiheng Zhang, Di Zhou*, Guodong Cai, Shaofei Wang, Yuanxi Cao, Sen Yan,* A dual-polarized metasurface with angle-selective character in elevation plane and stability in azimuth plane, Optics & Laser Technology, 2026, 200, 115213.
Targeting the application requirements of 5G/6G communications, millimeter-wave radars and integrated packaging for high-end electronic equipment, our research group adopts a multi-scale collaborative design strategy to develop low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material systems with low relative permittivity (εᵣ), low dielectric loss (tanδ), high thermal conductivity and excellent thermal matching. This research addresses the inherent drawbacks of conventional high-frequency packaging materials, including high dielectric loss, severe thermal mismatch and insufficient integration capability.
Focusing on glass-ceramic multiphase composite technology, we systematically optimize preparation schemes such as glass network modification, grain boundary regulation and heterogeneous interface matching. Methods for precise control of phase transformation and interfacial bonding during low-temperature sintering are established. The high-frequency transmission performance and environmental adaptability of the materials are enhanced via multi-scale structural synergy. We also adopt a data-driven research approach and construct a theoretical model correlating composition, structure, dielectric properties and thermal properties. Combined with advanced characterization techniques including high-resolution electron microscopy, in-situ thermal analysis and broadband dielectric measurement, the regulation mechanisms of glass network polymerization degree and crystalline phase distribution on dielectric response and thermal transport are elucidated at the atomic and microscopic levels.
Building on fundamental research findings, we further advance the engineering development of microwave devices. By integrating the optimized LTCC substrate materials with precision tape casting, multilayer alignment and co-firing technologies, a variety of products have been developed, such as high-frequency filters, millimeter-wave antenna arrays and radio frequency (RF) front-end modules. A full-process performance regulation strategy covering molecular structure design of materials, controllable powder preparation and co-firing integration of multilayer devices is formulated. A series of LTCC materials and components featuring low loss, high thermal conductivity, high integration and high reliability have been successfully fabricated. The relevant achievements provide critical theoretical support and engineering references for the domestic industrialization of high-performance packaging materials applied in 5G/6G communications, satellite navigation and high-end electronic equipment.
Publications:
1、Chang-Hao Wang, Kai-Heng Zhang, Jian Bao, Jia-Pei Jiang, Di-Ming Xu, Chao Du, Li-Xia Pang*, Tao Zhou*, Kar Ban Tan*, Di Zhou*, Novel Temperature-Stable (1-x)Ba3V2P3O15-xBaV2O6 Composite Ceramics with Ultralow Sintering Temperature and Low Dielectric Loss for Dielectric Resonator Antenna Applications, Advanced Functional Materials, 2026, 36[18], e22167.
2、Wei Wang, Xin Wang, Jian Bao, Jiapei Jiang, Zhen Fang, Biaobing Jin, Zhongqi Shi, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Yawei Chen, Qixin Liang, Meirong Zhang, Diming Xu, Chao Du, Di Zhou*, Low-permittivity BaCuSi4O10-based dielectric Ceramics: An available solution to connect low temperature cofired ceramic technology and millimeter-wave communications, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 494, 153172.
3、Chang-Hao Wang, Kai-Heng Zhang, Wei Wang, Jian Bao, Jia-Pei Jiang, Ke-Hong Zhou, Jun Li, Chao Liang, Da-Wei Liu, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Di-Ming Xu, Song Xia, Kar Ban Tan, and Di Zhou*, A comprehensive study on low temperature sintering and microwave/terahertz dielectric properties of BaO-P2O5 binary ceramics, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2025, 13, 14843-14855.
4、Yu, Zhenfa; Wang, Chang-Hao; Wang, Xin; He, Guoqiang; Ma, Peiwen; Bao, Jian; Fang, Zhen; Xu, Diming; Pang, Li-Xia*; Zhou, Tao; Tan, Kar Ban; Zhou, Di*, Low-Temperature Sintered Ba16ZrNb12O48-BaWO4 Composite Ceramics with Near-Zero τf and Enhanced Q×f for LTCC Applications, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2026,46, 118054.
5、Pei-Wen Ma, Chang-Hao Wang, Zhen-Fa Yu, Rui Zou, Tao Zhou,* Kar Ban Tan,* Di Zhou*, A Novel Low Permittivity CaP2O6 Microwave Dielectric Ceramics with Low Sintering Temperature by B2O3-CuO Additions, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2026,46, 118210.
Driven by the major demands for high-performance energy storage in civil and special fields such as new power system energy storage, new energy equipment, high-end electronic devices and pulsed power systems, our group focuses on dielectric ceramic energy storage materials and devices. Through composition design, microstructure regulation and process optimization, we aim to develop a new generation of dielectric ceramics with high energy storage density, high efficiency, superior thermal stability and excellent power characteristics, and break the core bottleneck that traditional dielectric materials fail to achieve simultaneous improvement of energy storage density and efficiency.
Targeting ferroelectric, antiferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric material systems, we systematically explore the design of composite perovskite structures, construction of local heterogeneous configurations and multi-layer/gradient composite strategies. Precise regulation methods for polarization behaviors from lattice scale to domain structure are established. The synergistic effect of enhanced polarization and elevated breakdown field strength greatly improves the energy storage performance of the materials. Adopting material genome engineering and machine learning-assisted research paradigms, we construct a multi-dimensional correlation model of composition-structure-performance. Combined with advanced approaches including atomic-scale microscopic analysis, in-situ electrical characterization and phase-field simulation, the microscopic physical mechanisms and failure mechanisms of energy storage performance are thoroughly elucidated.
Based on fundamental research advances, our group promotes the engineering development and device integration of high-performance energy storage capacitors. By optimizing ceramic slurry formulation, tape casting and co-firing processes, a series of prototype multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) have been fabricated. New-type devices such as film capacitors and composite dielectric substrates are also investigated. Our research covers the complete technical chain from powder synthesis and dielectric sheet preparation to electrode integration and device packaging, forming a full-process regulation capability across materials, processes, devices and performances. A variety of dielectric ceramic energy storage materials and devices featuring high energy density, high efficiency, outstanding stability and strong environmental adaptability have been successfully developed. The research achievements provide essential material foundations and core technical support for the independent development of high-end energy storage capacitors, as well as the miniaturization and high efficiency of power electronic equipment.
Publications:
1、Weichen Zhao, Diming Xu*, Da Li, Max Avdeev, Hongmei Jing, Mengkang Xu, Yan Guo, Dier Shi, Tao Zhou, Wenfeng Liu, Dong Wang*, Di Zhou*,Broad-high operating temperature range and enhanced energy storage performances in lead-free ferroelectrics, Nature Communications, 2023, 14:5725.
2、Weichen Zhao, Zhaobo Liu, Diming Xu*, Ge Wang, Da Li, Jinnan Liu, Zhentao Wang, Yan Guo, Jiajia Ren, Tao Zhou*, Lixia Pang, Hongwei Yang, Wenfeng Liu*, Houbin Huang*, Di Zhou*, Advanced stability and energy storage capacity in hierarchically engineered Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based multilayer capacitors, Nature Communications, 2025, 16, 6549.
3、Zhaochen Xi, Zhentao Wang, Changqing Guo, Ke Xu, Weichen Zhao, Zhengqiao Li, Jian Bao, Haowei Zhou, Cong Zou, Houbing Huang* and Di Zhou*, Active learning optimization in latent spaces accelerates inverse design of ferroelectric ceramics for energy storage, Nature Communications, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70792-7.
4、Da Li, Diming Xu,* Weichen Zhao, Max Avdeev, Hongmei Jing, Yan Guo, Tao Zhou, Wenfeng Liu, Dong Wang* and Di Zhou*, A high-temperature performing and near-zero energy loss lead-free ceramic capacitor, Energy & Environmental Science, 2023,16, 4511-4521.
5、Zhentao Wang, Da Li, Wenyuan Liu, Liqiang He*, Diming Xu*, Jinnan Liu, Jiajia Ren, Xin Wang, Yang Liu, Guoqiang He, Jian Bao, Zhen Fang, Guiwei Yan, Xu Liang, Tao Zhou, Weichen Zhao*, Wenfeng Liu, Dong Wang* and Di Zhou,* Ultra-high energy storage in lead-free NaNbO3-based relaxor ceramics with directional slush-like polar structures design, Nature Communications, 2025, 16, 2892.
To meet the urgent demands for capacitive energy storage with high temperature resistance and high power density in new energy vehicles, power electronics, aerospace, and wide-bandgap semiconductor power devices, our research group has long devoted efforts to polymer composite dielectrics and corresponding energy storage devices. This study targets key challenges of polymer dielectrics under elevated temperatures and high electric fields, including increased leakage conduction loss, reduced breakdown strength and degraded charge-discharge efficiency.
Adopting a multi-scale collaborative design philosophy covering filler design, interface engineering, structural optimization and charge regulation, we focus on breaking the bottleneck that dielectric constant, breakdown field strength and high-temperature energy storage efficiency cannot be improved simultaneously. By designing high-k ferroelectric nanofillers with uniform particle size, enhanced polarization and mitigated local electric field distortion are achieved. We also develop two-dimensional wide-bandgap nanosheets, core-shell coating and multi-level heterogeneous interface engineering to construct highly insulating barrier interfaces and deep trap networks, which suppress carrier injection, migration and breakdown propagation under high temperature and high electric fields. Furthermore, strategies including multilayer structure design, localized filler distribution and all-organic molecular semiconductor blending are adopted to regulate space charge distribution, interfacial polarization and local electric field, so as to realize the simultaneous improvement of energy storage density, efficiency and high-temperature stability.
This work establishes the correlation mechanisms linking micro-nano filler structures, interfacial electronic structures, carrier transport behaviors and macroscopic energy storage performance. The research outcomes lay a material and theoretical foundation for the domestic application of advanced polymer dielectrics in high-temperature film capacitors, flexible energy storage devices and high-reliability power electronic systems.
Publications:
1、Yang Liu, Zhenjun Shao, Jin Qian, Tiezhu Guo, Jian Bao, Diming Xu, Weichen Zhao, Zhentao Wang, Zilin Huang, Jiajia Ren, Jinnan Liu, Ziyang Liu, Jiwei Zhai*, Yao Zhou*, Zenghui Liu*, Tao Zhou*, Guiwei Yan, Jinzhan Su, Wenyuan Liu, Wenfeng Liu*, Jordi Jacas, Joan Ramon Morante Lleonart, Andreu Cabot, and Di Zhou,* Multilevel Heterointerface Engineering Breaks the Trap-Barrier Trade-Off in High-Energy-Density Polymer Dielectrics, Advanced Materials, 2026, 38[16], e17624.
2、Tao Liu, Yang Liu, Jin Qian, Jiwei Zhai,* Tao Zhou, Yao Zhou, Di-Ming Xu, Wenfeng Liu, and Di Zhou*, Enhanced Energy Storage Performance Through Electron-Hole Pair Formation in Polymer Matrices Doped with P-Type Molecular Semiconductor, Advanced Functional Materials, 2026, 36[6], e16202.
3、Yan Guo, Weichen Zhao, Da Li, Jinnan Liu, Jin Qian, Lixia Pang,* Tao Zhou, Wenfeng Liu,* Zhaobo Liu, Houbing Huang,* Jiwei Zhai, and Di Zhou,* Ultra-high Capacitive Energy Storage Density at 150 °C Achieved in Polyetherimide Composite Films by Filler and Structure Design, Advanced Materials, 2025, 37 [6], 2415652.
4、Ying Han, Xiao Li*, Yang Liu, Jin Qian, Jianjun Liu, Diming Xu, Weichen Zhao, Haowei Zhou, Jiwei Zhai*, Tao Zhou*, Yao Zhou, Wenfeng Liu*, Di Zhou*, Superior dielectric energy storage performance at elevated temperatures enabled by precisely tailored MgO NPLs distribution in tri-layer polymer composites, Nano Energy, 2026, 147, 111587.
5、Tao Liu, Jianjun Liu, Yang Liu, Jin Qian, Jiwei Zhai, Yao Zhou*, Tao Zhou, Gui-Wei Yan, Di-Ming Xu, Kar Ban Tan*, Wenfeng Liu, Di Zhou,*Interlayer-directed multilevel trap engineering for enhanced energy storage in PET dielectric films, Nano Energy, 2026, 147, 111613.
Targeting the application demands in civil electromagnetic pollution protection and performance improvement of military combat equipment, our research group adopts the magnetoelectric collaborative design strategy to develop magnetoelectric composite microwave absorbing materials featuring thin thickness, light weight, broad absorption bandwidth and strong absorption capacity. This work addresses the inherent limitations of single-component absorbing materials, such as monotonous loss mechanisms and restricted performance.
Focusing on the compounding technology of magnetic and dielectric dual components, we systematically optimize preparation routes including core-shell structure fabrication and heterogeneous doping, and establish precise regulation methods for heterogeneous interfaces. The electromagnetic wave loss performance is effectively enhanced via interfacial coupling and synergistic effects. We also introduce a data-driven research paradigm and construct a theoretical correlation model linking microscopic morphology, electromagnetic parameters and microwave absorption performance. Combined with advanced characterization techniques such as high-resolution electron microscopy and in-situ electromagnetic measurement, the microscopic loss mechanisms of microwave absorption are revealed at the atomic scale.
Based on the fundamental theoretical achievements, we further promote the engineering development of microwave absorbing devices. By incorporating the optimized magnetoelectric composite absorbing fillers into polymer and inorganic matrices, a series of products have been developed, including flexible absorbing films, high-temperature resistant structural absorbing plates, low-frequency dedicated absorbing coatings and modular anechoic chamber absorbing components. A full-process performance regulation framework covering molecular structure design, controllable powder preparation and mass production of molded devices has been established. A variety of magnetoelectric composite microwave absorbing materials with the advantages of thinness, light weight, wide bandwidth and strong absorption have been successfully fabricated. The relevant research outcomes provide crucial theoretical support and technical references for the domestic industrialization of high-performance absorbing materials applied to stealth protection and electromagnetic interference suppression.
Publications:
1、Man Li, Xiao Li*, Jieyan Zhang, Haowei Zhou, Zhenfa Yu, Chao Li, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Shi-Kuan Sun, Di Zhou*, Cavity-modulated visualization of dual magnetic coupling behavior for multifunctional Co/DMAOP composites, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 501, 157694.
2、Haowei Zhou, Xiao Li*, Zhaochen Xi, Man Li, Jieyan Zhang, Chao Li, Zhongming Liu, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Di Zhou*,Machine learning-driven interface engineering for enhanced microwave absorption in MXene films, Materials Today Physics, 2025, 51, 101640.
3、Xiao Li, Diming Xu, Di Zhou*, Shengzhao Pang, Chao Du, Moustafa Adel Darwish, Tao Zhou, Shi-Kuan Sun, Vertically stacked heterostructures of MXene/rGO films with enhanced gradient impedance for high-performance microwave absorption, Carbon, 2023, 208, 374-383.
4、Jing Li*, Lingling He, Weimin Xia, Chao Du, Li He, Xiao Li, Caiyin You, Di Zhou*, Constructing heterogeneous interfaces of Ti3C2Tx MXene magnetic nanocomposites for efficient low-frequency microwave absorption performance, Carbon, 2025, 245, 120786.
5、Yu Wang, Xiao Li*, Haowei Zhou, Zilin Huang, Moustafa Adel Darwish, M.M. Salem, Tao Zhou, Murat Yilmaz, Azim Uddin, Di Zhou* Fe3O4-CNFs@MXene with Encapsulated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Tunable High-Performance Microwave Absorption via Dual Electromagnetic Wave Loss Pathways, Materials Today Physics, 2026, 62, 102043.
