Barium Zirconium Titanate Thin Film for High-Capacity MLCC Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-capacity multilayered capacitors face challenges in maintaining moisture resistance reliability and mechanical strength due to reduced margin ratios, which compromise their performance.

Innovation Solution

A multilayered capacitor design featuring a dense thin film made of barium zirconium titanate on its surface to inhibit moisture and hydrogen penetration, along with an oxide layer, which increases the active region volume fraction while decreasing the non-contributing region, thereby enhancing moisture resistance and mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the margin ratio is reduced to increase capacity, then the volume fraction of active region increases, but moisture resistance reliability and mechanical strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume fraction of active regionVSAvoidmoisture resistance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A thin film coating layer is formed on the surface of the capacitor body to act as a protective barrier. This thin film prevents moisture and impurities from penetrating into the capacitor, thereby maintaining moisture resistance reliability even when the margin ratio is reduced and capacity is increased.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The surface treatment layer is formed using a composite material system consisting of multiple oxides (such as BaO, ZrO2, TiO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, WO3, MoO3, Bi2O3, PbO, SiO2, B2O3, Al2O3, ZnO, In2O3, Ga2O3, SnO2, HfO2, Dy2O3, Nd2O3, Gd2O3, and Lu2O3). This composite material provides both protective functionality and compatibility with the capacitor body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the margin ratio is reduced to increase capacity, then the volume fraction of active region increases, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume fraction of active regionVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thin film coating layer not only protects against moisture but also reinforces the surface structure of the capacitor body. This protective layer prevents mechanical strength degradation that would otherwise occur when the margin ratio is reduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-oxide composite material system provides enhanced mechanical properties to the surface treatment layer, ensuring that mechanical strength is maintained even when the capacitor design optimizes for higher capacity through reduced margin ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a surface treatment layer is added to improve moisture resistance, then moisture resistance reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture resistance reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single thin film coating layer is applied to the capacitor body surface. This simple yet effective approach provides moisture protection without requiring complex multi-layer structures or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The surface treatment is achieved by controlling the composition ratios of multiple oxides within the coating layer. By adjusting parameters such as the molar ratios of BaO, ZrO2, TiO2, and other oxides, optimal moisture resistance is achieved while maintaining a relatively simple single-layer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively improves moisture resistance reliability and prevents mechanical strength degradation while maintaining high capacity by optimizing the volume fractions of active and non-active regions.

Implementation Method 1

a dense thin film is disposed on the surface of the capacitor body to inhibit the formation of penetration paths for moisture, water vapor, and hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation barrier: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

an oxide layer between the capacitor body and the thin film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Data Source

PatentEP4415011A1Multilayered capacitor and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD
  • EP4415011A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4415011A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4415011A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multilayered capacitor that includes a capacitor body including a dielectric layer and an internal electrode, an external electrode disposed outside the capacitor body, and a thin film disposed on a surface of the capacitor body and including barium zirconium titanate. The barium zirconium titanate includes zirconium in an amount of about 10 parts by mole to about 50 parts by mole based on about 100 parts by mole of titanium.