Mussel-inspired ceramic layer for enhancement of mechanical properties

Abstract

Multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is a typical passive device that controls the current to flow in a circuit. It is widely used from mobile phones, personal PC, and display to current electric vehicles, and is called the rice of the electronics industry because it is as important as semiconductors. In response to the miniaturization and multi-functionality of the electronic industry, MLCC are also trending toward miniaturization and high capacitance. Thinning of the dielectric layer (referred to as the ceramic layer in this paper) constituting MLCC is an essential element in this industrial environment and is a direction to be developed in the future. However, the reduction in the thickness of the ceramic layer causes deterioration of mechanical properties and causes cracks, delamination, and the like. This problem causes very fatal defects that deteriorate electrical characteristics and reliability. To solve this problem, in this paper, a study was conducted to incorporate polydopamine in the ceramic layer. Polydopamine, inspired by mussels, has a catecholamine group, so it is a universal adhesive material that can achieve adhesion to both organic and organic materials. The polydopamine-ceramic layer made by incorporating polydopamine contributed to enhancement of mechanical properties. Barium titanate coated with polydopamine prevents re-aggregation between powders, which not only increases stability but is also effective in strengthening binding between binders. As a result, compared to the existing ceramic layer, the modulus of the ceramic layer with polydopamine was improved by 26% and hardness by 100%.