Multilayer Capacitor Electrodes With Lattice-Matched Ni-Cu-Sn

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer ceramic capacitors face challenges in reducing the size and increasing capacitance due to atomic arrangement dislocation between internal electrodes and dielectric layers, leading to increased interface stress and electrode aggregation, which deteriorates connectivity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating Cu and Sn into the internal electrodes with Ni to adjust the lattice constant within a specific range (3.53 Å to 3.72 Å), reducing the difference in lattice constants with the dielectric layer and enhancing electrode connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the thickness of internal electrode and dielectric layer is decreased to reduce component size and increase capacitance, then the size decreases and capacitance increases, but the atomic arrangement dislocation at the interface between internal electrode and dielectric layer increases, leading to increased interface stress and electrode aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent sizeVSAvoidinterface stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the lattice constant parameter of the internal electrode material by adding Cu and Sn to Ni, adjusting it from the conventional value to within the range of 3.53 Å to 3.72 Å. This parameter change reduces the lattice mismatch with the dielectric layer, thereby reducing atomic arrangement dislocation and interface stress while maintaining the thinned structure for small size and high capacitance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite internal electrode material consisting of Ni as the base material with Cu and Sn additives. This composite structure allows the internal electrode to have both the electrical conductivity of Ni and the lattice constant characteristics needed to match the dielectric layer, preventing dislocation and improving reliability while maintaining small component size

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

This approach effectively reduces dislocation at the interface, improves electrode connectivity, and enhances the breaking down voltage and high-temperature reliability of multilayer electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating Cu and Sn into the internal electrodes with Ni to adjust the lattice constant within a specific range (3.53 Å to 3.72 Å), reducing the difference in lattice constants with the dielectric layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLattice constant adjustment:

Data Source

PatentUS11791095B2Multilayer electronic component

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A multilayer electronic component includes a body including a dielectric layer and internal electrodes alternately stacked with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween; and an external electrode disposed on the body and connected to the internal electrodes. One of the internal electrodes includes Ni, and a lattice constant of Ni included in the one of the internal electrodes satisfies a range of 3.53 Å to 3.72 Å.