journal article·2026-03Open access

Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Dielectric Composites: Composition–Structure–Nanoscale Mechanism–Function Framework for Dynamic Dielectric Engineering

Xianhua Huan, Siheng Liu, Enyuan Zhou, Jiachen Sun, Qianpeng Zhang, Xiaoliang Mo, Lixin Li, Yuchen Mei, Hefeng Li, Chunyang Xu, Bin Du, Yushun Zhao, Jiabao Zhu, Xiaolong Jia, Wei Lu, Hualiang Lv

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 22

Abstract

Abstract Dielectric materials are crucial in various fields, including catalysis, energy storage, flexible electronics, and biosensing, and have consequently attracted sustained research interest. Recent reviews have summarized advances in dielectric materials, emphasizing synthesis strategies and applications in specific fields. In practical operations, dielectric materials are often subjected to external physical stimuli such as temperature gradients, electric fields, and mechanical stresses, which drive coupled processes involving polarization, charge transport, and structural reconfiguration. These processes, typically occurring at the nano or atomic scale, decisively influence device performance and reliability. However, reviews on the dynamic dielectric properties of multi‐stimuli‐responsive composites are scarce, particularly from a nanoscale composition–structure–mechanism–function perspective. To bridge this gap, this review outlines the intrinsic properties of representative dielectric constituents and multidimensional design strategies. In addition, it provides a nanoscale analysis of the dynamic response mechanisms induced by external stimuli and their impact on performance, highlighting key challenges such as dielectric reversibility, long‐term stability, and controlled tuning under multiphysics conditions. The review concludes by emphasizing the opportunities for the use of dielectrics in artificial‐intelligence‐driven material discovery, predictive modeling, and multiphysics integration to guide the design of next‐generation responsive dielectric materials for adaptive devices.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Dielectric materials and actuators · Dielectric properties of ceramics · Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Electrical and Automation Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 P. R. China

Institute of Optoelectronics Fudan University Shanghai 200438 P. R. China

Hanghai Key Lab of D&A for Metal‐Functional Materials School of Materials Science & Engineering Tongji University Shanghai 201804 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Organic‐Inorganic Composites College of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China

Electronic Engineering Institute National University of Defense Technology 460 Mount Huangshan Road Hefei Anhui 230037 P. R. China

The Key Laboratory of High Temperature Electromagnetic Materials and Structure of MOE Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430081 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province · National Key Research and Development Program of China · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

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