Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrodes for Sintering Mismatch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer ceramic capacitors face issues with sintering mismatch between dielectric and internal electrode layers, leading to reliability problems such as short circuits and degradation of breakdown voltage, especially in high-performance and miniaturized applications like autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating cerium (Ce) into the internal electrode layers and dielectric layers, with a higher concentration at the interface regions, to improve thermal stability and reduce sintering mismatch, enhancing connectivity and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the dielectric layer and internal electrode layer are made thinner to achieve miniaturization and high capacity, then the capacitor size is reduced and capacity is increased, but sintering mismatch occurs between layers leading to short circuits and degradation of breakdown voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitor sizeVSAvoidbreakdown voltage and short circuit resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding cerium (Ce) specifically at the interface region between the dielectric layer and internal electrode layer, rather than uniformly throughout the layers. The interface region contains 1.5 to 3 times higher cerium content than the central region, creating a localized compositional gradient that improves sintering compatibility at the critical interface zone where mismatch occurs most, thereby preventing short circuits and maintaining breakdown voltage in miniaturized structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by introducing cerium (Ce) into the internal electrode layer and dielectric layer, specifically increasing Ce content at the interface region to 1.5-3 times higher than the central region. This compositional parameter change modifies the sintering behavior of the layers, enabling better thermal matching and reduced sintering mismatch even when layers are made thinner for miniaturization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the dielectric layer and internal electrode layer are made thinner to achieve high capacity, then the capacitance per volume is increased, but internal electrode connectivity deteriorates due to sintering mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacitanceVSAvoidinternal electrode connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating cerium (Ce) at the interface region of the internal electrode layer, where it content is 1.5 to 3 times higher than in the central region. This localized enhancement at the interface zone improves sintering compatibility specifically where the dielectric and electrode layers meet, ensuring maintained connectivity even when the overall layer thickness is reduced to increase capacitance density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining nickel (Ni) with cerium (Ce) in the internal electrode layer, creating a Ni-Ce composite structure. The cerium acts as an additive that modifies the sintering characteristics of the nickel-based electrode material, improving its compatibility with the dielectric layer and ensuring continuous connectivity paths are maintained during the sintering process, even in thin-layer high-capacity designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of cerium in the internal electrode and dielectric layers improves sintering compatibility, leading to enhanced connectivity and increased breakdown voltage, addressing reliability concerns in multilayer ceramic capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

both the central region and the interface region of the internal electrode layer include the cerium (Ce), and the interface region includes the cerium (Ce) in a content higher than a content of cerium (Ce) in the central region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12597559B2Multilayer ceramic capacitor and method of preparing the same

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a capacitor body that includes a dielectric layer and an internal electrode layer; and an external electrode that is disposed outside the capacitor body. The internal electrode layer includes nickel (Ni) and cerium (Ce), and along a thickness direction of the internal electrode layer, the internal electrode layer comprises an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, the middle portion is referred to as a central region, and at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion having an interface between the internal electrode layer and the dielectric layer is referred to as an interface region, both the central region and the interface region of the internal electrode layer include the cerium (Ce), and the interface region includes the cerium (Ce) in a content higher than a content of cerium (Ce) in the central region.