Floating-Electrode MLCC Boundary Layer for Higher Withstand Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multilayer ceramic capacitors face challenges in improving withstand voltage, with existing configurations offering limited effectiveness in enhancing this critical parameter.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a multilayer ceramic electronic component with a floating electrode structure, featuring boundary layers made of materials like Au, Pt, Ag, Fe, Sn, Ge, Hf, In, Si, or Y, which form Schottky barriers to enhance insulation properties and improve withstand voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating electrode is provided in the ceramic element, then the withstand voltage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A boundary layer is introduced as an intermediary between the floating electrode and the dielectric layer. This boundary layer suppresses oxygen defects at the interface, thereby enhancing the withstand voltage without requiring complex electrode configurations. The boundary layer acts as a mediator that resolves the interface issues between the floating electrode and dielectric material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material composition parameter by introducing a boundary layer with specific material properties between the floating electrode and dielectric layer. This parameter change (adding the boundary layer) improves the withstand voltage by suppressing oxygen defects, while maintaining relatively simple electrode structures.
2Reliability
If the floating electrode structure with boundary layer is implemented, then the insulation properties are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layer is formed by controlling the composition and structure of the green sheet containing the floating electrode. By adjusting the material parameters (such as adding specific oxides or controlling particle size distribution) in the green sheet formulation, the boundary layer is created during the sintering process, enhancing insulation properties while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-forming process.
3Productivity
If the size of the multilayer ceramic capacitor is reduced, then the capacitance per unit volume increases, but the withstand voltage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layer changes the electrical parameters at the electrode-dielectric interface by suppressing oxygen defects. This parameter change allows the capacitor to maintain high withstand voltage even when miniaturized, as the boundary layer prevents breakdown at the critical interface regions where defects would normally form under reduced dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary layer provides local quality improvement at the critical interface regions between electrodes and dielectric layers. By enhancing the local properties (suppressing oxygen defects) at these specific locations, the overall withstand voltage is improved, allowing the device to be miniaturized without sacrificing reliability.
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 proposed configuration effectively enhances the withstand voltage of multilayer ceramic capacitors by suppressing oxygen defects and current leakage, while allowing for a reduction in size and increased capacitance per unit volume.
Implementation Method 1
boundary layers made of materials like Au, Pt, Ag, Fe, Sn, Ge, Hf, In, Si, or Y, which form Schottky barriers to enhance insulation properties and improve withstand voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a first external electrode provided at an end portion of a ceramic element, and a second external electrode provided at another end portion of the ceramic element. An internal electrode provided in the ceramic element includes a lead internal electrode connected to the first external electrode or the second external electrode, and a first floating electrode facing the lead internal electrode via a dielectric layer in the ceramic element and provided in a state of being separated from the first external electrode and the second external electrode. At least one of the lead-out internal electrode and the first floating electrode includes a first boundary layer in contact with the dielectric layer formed between the lead-out internal electrode and the first floating electrode. The boundary layer contains at least one of Au, Pt, Ag, Fe, Sn, Ge, Hf, In, Si, V, or Y.