Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 180, 61–89 (2010)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2010-01212-5

Regular Article

Colossal dielectric constants in transition-metal oxides

¹ Experimental Physics V, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, University of Augsburg, 86135 Augsburg, Germany
² Solid State Chemistry, University of Augsburg, 86135 Augsburg, Germany
³ Solid State Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany

Abstract

Many transition-metal oxides show very large (“colossal”) magnitudes of the dielectric constant and thus have immense potential for applications in modern microelectronics and for the development of new capacitance-based energy-storage devices. In the present work, we thoroughly discuss the mechanisms that can lead to colossal values of the dielectric constant, especially emphasising effects generated by external and internal interfaces, including electronic phase separation. In addition, we provide a detailed overview and discussion of the dielectric properties of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ and related systems, which is today’s most investigated material with colossal dielectric constant. Also a variety of further transition-metal oxides with large dielectric constants are treated in detail, among them the system La_2−xSr_xNiO₄ where electronic phase separation may play a role in the generation of a colossal dielectric constant.