Solid Electrolytic Capacitor Cathode Coating for High-Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid electrolytic capacitors are sensitive to high temperatures, with carbon-based binders generating contaminant gases that adversely affect electrical performance.

Innovation Solution

A capacitor design with a low carbon content cathode coating, including a barrier layer and metallization layer, using inorganic materials for the solid electrolyte and cathode coating, and specific metal compositions to maintain electrical conductivity and stability at high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If carbon-based binders are used in the cathode coating, then the cathode coating can be easily manufactured, but contaminant gases are generated at high temperatures that adversely affect electrical performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecathode coating manufacturingVSAvoidelectrical performance at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes carbon-based binders from the cathode coating formulation entirely, extracting the harmful element that causes contaminant gas generation at high temperatures while maintaining the coating's structural integrity through alternative inorganic binding mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the cathode coating by substituting carbon-based materials with inorganic materials, fundamentally altering the thermal stability characteristics to eliminate gas generation at elevated temperatures while preserving manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional cathode coating materials are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the capacitor performance degrades at temperatures of 250°C or higher

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecathode coating structureVSAvoidhigh temperature performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs composite inorganic materials in the cathode coating, combining multiple inorganic components to achieve both thermal stability at high temperatures and adequate electrical conductivity, while maintaining a relatively simple layered structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If inorganic materials are used for solid electrolyte and cathode coating, then high temperature stability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh temperature stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a barrier layer as an intermediary between the solid electrolyte and the metallization layer, using inorganic materials that provide both thermal stability and a simple deposition pathway, mediating between the requirements for high temperature performance and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 capacitor exhibits excellent electrical properties, including high capacitance and low equivalence series resistance, maintaining performance at temperatures up to 350°C with stability over extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric formed on a sintered porous body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

a metallization layer overlying the barrier layer, wherein the metallization layer contains a metal that exhibits an electrical resistivity of about 150 nΩ·m or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3721462B1Solid electrolytic capacitor for use at high temperatures
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 KYOCERA AVX COMPONENTS CORP
  • EP3721462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721462B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3721462B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A capacitor that comprises a capacitor element that includes an anode that contains a dielectric formed on a sintered porous body, a solid electrolyte overlying the anode that contains manganese dioxide, and a cathode coating is provided. The cathode coating includes a barrier layer overlying the solid electrolyte and a metallization layer overlying the barrier layer. The barrier layer contains a valve metal and the metallization layer contains a metal that exhibits an electrical resistivity of about 150 nΩ. or less (at a temperature of 20°C) and an electric potential of about -0.5 V or more.