Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Composition for Insulation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors with thinner dielectric layers face reliability issues due to high electric field intensity during voltage application, particularly when using Ni as a main component in the inner electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The inner electrodes are composed of two types with different metal compositions: the first inner electrodes have Ni as a main component, and the second inner electrodes include Ni along with metal elements like Au, Pt, Ir, Pd, Os, Ag, Rh, or Cu with higher standard electrode potentials, which induce a redox reaction to prevent oxygen ion segregation and enhance insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dielectric layer thickness is reduced to achieve smaller size and higher capacitance, then the capacitance and miniaturization requirements are met, but the electric field intensity increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different metal compositions to different inner electrodes based on their local function: first inner electrodes use Ni-based composition for cost-effectiveness, while second inner electrodes use Cu-based composition with higher standard electrode potential to prevent oxygen ion segregation at critical interfaces, thus locally optimizing both cost and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining Ni-based and Cu-based metal compositions in different inner electrodes. This composite approach leverages the cost advantage of Ni and the reliability advantage of Cu (higher standard electrode potential) to achieve both economic and performance goals in the multilayer ceramic capacitor
2Ease of manufacture
If Ni is used as a main component in inner electrodes, then cost is reduced, but insulation degradation occurs during voltage application and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different metal compositions to different inner electrodes based on their local function: first inner electrodes use Ni-based composition for cost-effectiveness, while second inner electrodes use Cu-based composition with higher standard electrode potential to prevent oxygen ion segregation at critical interfaces, thus locally optimizing both cost and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (Cu with higher standard electrode potential) in the second inner electrodes that acts as a mediator to prevent oxygen ion segregation and insulation degradation, while the Ni-based first inner electrodes maintain cost-effectiveness. This intermediary approach resolves the conflict between cost and 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
This design reduces insulation degradation, allowing for thinner electrodes and more layers, thereby increasing capacitance while maintaining reliability under high electric field conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the second inner electrodes include Ni along with metal elements like Au, Pt, Ir, Pd, Os, Ag, Rh, or Cu with higher standard electrode potentials, which induce a redox reaction to prevent oxygen ion segregation and enhance insulation
Data Source
AI summary
In a multilayer ceramic capacitor including first and second inner electrodes alternately arranged with respect to a stacking direction of a multilayer body, a polarity based on a direction of voltage applied between a first outer electrode and a second outer electrode is determined such that the first inner electrodes function as positive electrodes and the second inner electrodes function as negative electrodes. The first inner electrodes have a first metal composition including Ni as a main component, and the second inner electrodes have a second metal composition including Ni as a main component, and at least one metal element selected from Au, Pt, Ir, Pd, Os, Ag, Rh, Ru, and Cu, which have standard electrode potentials higher than that of Ni, as an additive component.