Patent Publication Number: US-2023162920-A1

Title: Multilayer electronic component

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0163372 filed on Nov. 24, 2021 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a multilayer electronic component. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), a multilayer electronic component, is a chip-type condenser mounted on printed circuit boards of various types of electronic products such as display devices including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs), computers, smartphones, cell phones, and the like to allow electricity to be charged therein and discharged therefrom. 
     Such MLCCs having advantages such as compactness, guaranteed high capacitance, and ease in mounting thereof may be used as a component of various electronic devices. As various electronic devices such as computers and mobile devices are miniaturized and have high output, demand for miniaturized and high-capacity multilayer ceramic capacitors has increased. 
     In addition, as the industry&#39;s interest in automotive electronic components has recently increased, multilayer ceramic capacitors are also required to have high reliability and high strength characteristics to be used in automobiles or infotainment systems. 
     Meanwhile, in the case of a multilayer ceramic capacitor mounted on a substrate, an external electrode may be formed using a resin including a conductive metal to improve resistance to bending stress. Through this, thermal and mechanical stress may be reduced using ductility of the resin, and cracks caused by bending of a substrate may be prevented. 
     However, when the external electrode includes a resin, there is a possibility that moisture resistance reliability may be weak due to the high water permeability of the resin. In order to prevent this, in the related art, a structure in which an internal electrode containing Ni and an external electrode containing Ni are in contact with each other on a surface of a body and a Ni—Sn alloy layer and a conductive resin layer containing a Sn conductive metal and a resin are sequentially present on the external electrode containing Ni has been introduced. 
     However, in the structure of the related art, when cracks occur due to an external impact, an Ni external electrode positioned on the innermost side of the external electrode may be corroded instead of Sn, and thus, defective exposure of the internal electrode may occur. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a multilayer ceramic capacitor capable of improving resistance to bending stress and preventing defective exposure of internal electrodes when cracks occur. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a multilayer electronic component having improved flexural strength characteristics. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure may also provide a multilayer electronic component having excellent moisture resistance reliability. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure may also improve a risk of corrosion of a portion in which an internal electrode and an external electrode are in contact with each other. 
     However, the purpose of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and will be more easily understood in the course of describing specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer electronic component includes: a body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes alternately disposed with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween and including first and second surfaces opposing each other in a first direction, third and fourth surfaces connected to the first and second surfaces and opposing each other in a second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces connected to the first to fourth surfaces and opposing each other in a third direction; a first external electrode disposed on the third surface of the body; and a second external electrode disposed on the fourth surface of the body, wherein the first and second external electrodes include a first electrode layer disposed on the third and fourth surfaces and including a conductive material, a second electrode layer disposed on the first electrode layer and including Ni, a third electrode layer disposed on the second electrode layer and including an Ni—Sn alloy; and a conductive resin layer disposed on the third electrode layer and including a conductive metal and a resin, wherein E1&gt;E2 in which E1 is a standard reduction potential of the first electrode layer and E2 is a standard reduction potential of the second electrode layer 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multilayer electronic component includes: a body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes alternately disposed with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween and including first and second surfaces opposing each other in a first direction, third and fourth surfaces connected to the first and second surfaces and opposing each other in a second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces connected to the first to fourth surfaces and opposing each other in a third direction; a first external electrode disposed on the third surface of the body; and a second external electrode disposed on the fourth surface of the body, wherein the first and second external electrodes include a plurality of first electrode layers disposed on the third and fourth surfaces and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, being in contact with the first internal electrode or the second internal electrode, and including a conductive material, a second electrode layer disposed on the plurality of first electrode layers and including Ni, a third electrode layer disposed on the second electrode layer and including an Ni—Sn alloy; and a conductive resin layer disposed on the third electrode layer and including conductive metals and resins, wherein E1&gt;E2 in which E1 is a standard reduction potential of the plurality of first electrode layers and E2 is a standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along II-II′ of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an exploded body in which a dielectric layer and an internal electrode are stacked according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG.  5   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In the drawings, a first direction may be defined as a T direction, a stacking direction, or a thickness direction, a second direction may be defined as an L direction or a length direction, and a third direction may be defined as a W direction or a width direction. 
     Multilayer Electronic Component 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view schematically illustrating a multilayer electronic component according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along II-II′ of  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an exploded body in which a dielectric layer and an internal electrode are stacked according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, a multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  4   . 
     The multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a body  110  including a dielectric layer  111  and first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  alternately disposed with the dielectric layer  111  interposed therebetween and including first and second surfaces  1  and  2  opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  connected to the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  and opposing each other in the second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces  5  and  6  connected to the first to fourth surfaces  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  and opposing in the third direction. 
     In the body  110 , the dielectric layer  111  and the internal electrodes  121  and  122  are alternately stacked. 
     A specific shape of the body  110  is not limited, but, as illustrated, the body  110  may have a hexahedral shape or a shape similar thereto. Due to shrinkage of ceramic powder particle contained in the body  110  during sintering, the body  110  may not have a hexahedral shape with perfect straight lines but a substantially hexahedral shape. 
     The body  110  may include the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  opposing each other in the thickness direction (first direction), the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  connected to the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  and opposing each other in the length direction (second direction), and the fifth and sixth surfaces  5  and  6  connected to the first and second surfaces  1  and  2 , connected to the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4 , and opposing each other in the width direction (third direction). 
     A plurality of dielectric layers  111  forming the body  110  are in a sintered state, and adjacent dielectric layers  111  may be integrated such that boundaries therebetween may not be readily apparent without using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, a raw material for forming the dielectric layer  111  is not limited as long as sufficient electrostatic capacitance may be obtained. For example, a barium titanate-based material, a lead composite perovskite-based material, or a strontium titanate-based material may be used. The barium titanate-based material may include a BaTiO 3 -based ceramic powder particle, and the ceramic powder particle may include BaTiO 3  and (Ba 1-x Ca x )TiO 3 , Ba(Ti 1-y Ca y )O 3 , (Ba 1-x Ca x )(Ti 1-y Zr y )O 3 , or Ba(Ti 1-y Zr y )O 3  obtained by partially dissolving calcium (Ca), zirconium (Zr), and the like in BaTiO 3 . 
     As a material for forming the dielectric layer  111 , various ceramic additives, organic solvents, plasticizers, binders, dispersants, or the like may be added to the powder particle such as barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) or the like according to purposes of the present disclosure. 
     The body  110  may include a capacitance forming portion Ac disposed inside the body  110  and forming capacitance by including the first internal electrode  121  and the second internal electrode  122  disposed to oppose each other with the dielectric layer  111  interposed therebetween and upper and lower cover portions  112  and  113  formed on one and the other surfaces of the capacitance forming portion Ac in the first direction. 
     The capacitance forming portion Ac is a portion contributing to capacitance formation of a capacitor and may be formed by repeatedly stacking a plurality of first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  with the dielectric layer  111  interposed therebetween. 
     The upper cover portion  112  and the lower cover portion  113  may be formed by stacking a single dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers on the upper and lower surfaces of the capacitance forming portion Ac in the up-down direction, respectively, and basically play a role of preventing damage to the internal electrodes due to physical or chemical stress 
     The upper cover portion  112  and the lower cover portion  113  do not include an internal electrode and may include the same material as that of the dielectric layer  111 . Margin portions  114  and  115  may be disposed on one surface and the other surface of the capacitance forming portion Ac in the third direction. 
     The margin portions  114  and  115  may include a margin portion  114  disposed on the sixth surface  6  of the body  110  and a margin portion  115  disposed on the fifth surface  5  of the body  110 . That is, the margin portions  114  and  115  may be disposed on both sides of the ceramic body  110  in the width direction. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the margin portions  114  and  115  may refer to a region between both ends of the first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  and a boundary surface of the body  110  in a cross-section of the body  110  taken in the first and third directions (width-thickness) directions. 
     The margins  114  and  115  may basically serve to prevent damage to the internal electrodes due to physical or chemical stress. 
     The margin portions  114  and  115  may be formed by forming the internal electrodes by applying a conductive paste on a ceramic green sheet except for a portion in which the margin portions are to be formed. 
     In addition, in order to suppress a step difference due to the internal electrodes  121  and  122 , the margin portions  114  and  115  may be formed by cutting the internal electrodes, after stacking, to be exposed to the fifth and sixth surfaces  5  and  6  of the body and then stacking a single dielectric layer or two or more dielectric layers on both side surfaces of the capacitance forming portion Ac in the width direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the plurality of internal electrodes  121  and  122  may be disposed to oppose each other with the dielectric layer  111  interposed therebetween. 
     The internal electrodes  121  and  122  may include first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  alternately disposed to face each other with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the first internal electrode  121  may be spaced apart from the fourth surface  4  and may be connected to a first external electrode  130  on the third surface  3 , and the second internal electrode  122  may be spaced apart from the third surface  3  and may be connected to a second external electrode  140  on the fourth surface  4 . 
     That is, the first internal electrode  121  may not be connected to the second external electrode  140  but may be connected to the first external electrode  130 , and the second internal electrode  122  may not be connected to the first external electrode  130  but may be connected to the second external electrode  140 . Accordingly, the first internal electrode  121  may be formed to be spaced apart from the fourth surface  4  by a predetermined distance, and the second internal electrode  122  may be formed to be spaced apart from the third surface  3  by a predetermined distance. 
     The first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  may be electrically isolated from each other by the dielectric layer  111  disposed therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the body  110  may be formed by alternately stacking the dielectric layer  111  on which the first internal electrode  121  is printed and the dielectric layer on which the second internal electrode  122  is printed in the thickness direction (the first direction) and sintering a resultant structure. 
     The material for forming the internal electrodes  121  and  122  is not particularly limited, and a material having excellent electrical conductivity may be used. For example, the internal electrodes  121  and  122  may be formed by printing a conductive paste for an internal electrode including one or more of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), tin (Sn), or tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), and alloys thereof on a ceramic green sheet. 
     As a printing method of the conductive paste for internal electrodes, a screen printing method or a gravure printing method may be used but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include the first external electrode  130  disposed on the third surface  3  of the body  110  and the second external electrode  140  disposed on the fourth surface  4  of the body  110 . 
     In addition, the first and second external electrodes  130  and  140  of the multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include first electrodes  131  and  141  disposed on the third surface  3  and the fourth surface  4  of the body  110  and including a conductive material, second electrode layers  132  and  142  disposed on the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and including Ni, third electrodes layers  133  and  143  disposed on the second electrode layers  132  and  142  and including an Ni—Sn alloy, and conductive resin layers  134  and  144  disposed on the third electrodes layers  133  and  143  and including conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  and resins  134   b  and  144   b.    
     The first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be disposed on the third surface  3  and the fourth surface  4  of the body  110  and may be in direct contact with the internal electrodes  121  and  122  to connect the internal electrodes  121  and  122  and the first and second external electrodes  130  and  140  to each other. Specifically, the first electrode layer  131  included in the first external electrode  130  may be in direct contact with the first internal electrode  121  on the third surface  3  of the body  110 , and the first electrode layer  141  included in the second external electrode  140  may be in direct contact with the second internal electrode  122  on the fourth surface  4  of the body  110 . Accordingly, the first external electrode  130  may be electrically connected to the first internal electrode  121 , and the second external electrode  140  may be electrically connected to the second internal electrode  122 . 
     A type of the conductive material included in the first electrode layers  131  and  141  is not particularly limited, but may include a metal having a standard reduction potential greater than a standard reduction potential (−0.26V) of Ni. For example, the conductive material may include at least one of Cu, Ag, a Cu—Ni alloy, and an Ag—Ni alloy. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may further include glass in addition to the conductive material. Accordingly, a bonding force between the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and the body  110  may be improved. 
     The method of forming the first electrode layers  131  and  141  is not particularly limited, but for example, the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be plating layers formed through electrolytic plating, electroless plating, alloy plating, or the like, after pretreating the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  of the body  110  by sandblasting, ion milling, chemical etching, or the like, and may be sintered electrode layers formed by including a conductive material or may further including glass in addition to the conductive material. 
     The second electrode layers  132  and  142  may be disposed on the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and may include a conductive material such as Cu, Ni, or Pd. A type of conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142  is not particularly limited, but the second electrode layers  132  and  142  according to an exemplary embodiment may include Ni. 
     A method of forming the second electrode layers  132  and  142  is not particularly limited. For example, the second electrode layers  132  and  142  may be plating layers formed through an electrolytic plating method, an electroless plating method, or the like, and may be sintered electrode layers formed by including a conductive material or glass in addition to a conductive material. 
     The third electrode layers  133  and  143  may be disposed on the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , and may include an intermetallic compound (IMC). The IMC included in the third electrode layers  133  and  134  may be IMC formed as conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  included in the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  to be described below and the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142  react with each other. For example, when the second electrode layers  132  and  142  include Ni and the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  included in the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  include Sn, the IMC included in the third electrode layers  133  and  143  may be an Ni—Sn alloy, specifically, Ni 3 Sn, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the Ni—Sn alloy included in the third electrode layer may be Ni 3 Sn, Ni 3 Sn 2 , Ni 3 Sn 4 , or a mixture thereof. 
     A method of forming the third electrode layers  133  and  143  is not particularly limited. For example, the third electrode layers  133  and  143  may be formed as the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142  and the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  included in the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  to be described below react with each other during a sintering process. 
     Meanwhile, when the external electrodes  130  and  140  include the conductive resin layers  134  and  144 , the moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component  100  may be weakened due to the high water permeability of the resins  134   b  and  144   b.    
     According to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, since the third electrode layers  133  and  143  include the Ni—Sn alloy, moisture that has passed through the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  may not reach the body  110  or the internal electrodes  121  and  122 , thereby improving moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component  100 . 
     The conductive resin layers  134  and  144  may be disposed on the third electrode layers  133  and  134  and may include conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  and resins  134   b  and  144   b.    
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  may be disposed on the third electrode layers  133  and  143  and extend onto portions of the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  of the body  110 . Accordingly, an occurrence of cracks in the multilayer electronic component  100  due to bending of the substrate or the like may be suppressed. 
     A component of the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  is not particularly limited as long as the component includes a metal having electrical conductivity, but preferably, the component of the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  may include a metal capable of forming an IMC with the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142 . Accordingly, the third electrode layers  133  and  143  may include an IMC. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  may include Sn. Accordingly, Ni included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142  may react with Sn to form a Ni—Sn alloy in the third electrode layers  133  and  143 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a  may include at least one of Ag, Cu, and Ni in addition to Sn. Accordingly, the electrical conductivity of the conductive resin layers may be further improved. 
     The types of the resins  134   b  and  144   b  are not particularly limited, and may be a resin that is ductile to protect the multilayer electronic component  100  from bending stress and may have strong heat resistance, for example, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a diallyl phthalate resin, a melanin resin, a guanamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an aminoalkyd resin, a melamine-urea cocondensation resin, a silicon resin, a polysiloxane resin and the like, but is not limited thereto. In the case of using a resin, a curing agent such as a crosslinking agent and a polymerization initiator, a polymerization accelerator, a solvent, a viscosity modifier, and the like may be further added as needed. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive resin layers  134  and  144  may be disposed to extend onto portions of the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  of the body  110 . Accordingly, the flexural strength of the multilayer electronic component  100  may be further improved. 
     Meanwhile, when cracks occur in the external electrodes  130  and  140  due to an external impact, if the first electrode layers  131  and  141  in direct contact with the internal electrodes are corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , defective exposure of the internal electrodes may occur and the reliability of the multilayer electronic component  100  cannot be secured. 
     Specifically, when the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , which are in contact with each other, are exposed to moisture due to the occurrence of cracks, a potential difference may occur and a current may flow between the metals. At this time, a metal with a low standard reduction potential may be oxidized and corroded first. 
     At this time, if the standard reduction potential of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  is lower than the standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , the first electrode layers  131  and  141  in direct contact with the internal electrodes  121  and  122  may be corroded first, so defective exposure of the internal electrodes may occur. 
     According to the multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, when the standard reduction potential of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  is E1 and the standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers  132  and  142  is E2, E1&gt;E2 may be satisfied. Accordingly, even when cracks occur in the external electrodes  130  and  140  and are exposed to external moisture, corrosion of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be prevented, thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes. 
     There may be various methods for making E1 and E2 satisfy E1&gt;E2. For example, when the second electrode layers  132  and  142  are formed of Ni, since the standard reduction potential of Ni is −0.26V, a conductive material of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may include a metal having a standard reduction potential greater than −0.26 and a content thereof may be adjusted, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     A method of measuring the standard reduction potentials E1 and E2 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and the second electrode layers  132  and  142  and comparing their magnitude is as follows. 
     A sample of the multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure is prepared and the W-T surface of the external electrodes are polished so that the second electrode layers  132  and  142  are exposed. Thereafter, the standard reduction potentials E2 of the second electrode layers  132  and  142  are measured, the W-T surfaces of the external electrodes are polished so that the first electrode layers  131  and  141  are exposed, and then the standard reduction potentials E1 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  are measured and magnitudes of the standard reduction potentials E1 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be compared. 
     The standard reduction potentials E1 and E2 may be determined by measuring an oxidation reduction potential compared to a potential of a specific reference electrode. 
     The type of metal having a standard reduction potential greater than the standard reduction potential of Ni is not particularly limited. However, since the standard reduction potential of Cu is 0.34V, when Cu is included in the first electrode layers  131  and  141 , the standard reduction potential E1 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be greater in a positive (+) direction than the standard reduction potential E2 of the second electrode layers  132  and  142  including Ni. In addition, the external electrodes  130  and  140  may be formed at low cost, compared to other metals having a standard reduction potential higher than the standard reduction potential of Ni. In addition, Cu has good bonding properties with Ni, so that a first electrode layer containing Cu may strengthen bonding strength with the internal electrode containing Ni. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material included in the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may include at least one of Cu and a Cu—Ni alloy, so that the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be prevented from being corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes  121  and  122 . 
     Meanwhile, a standard reduction potential of Ag is 0.80V. Therefore, when Ag is included in the first electrode layers  131  and  141 , the standard reduction potential E1 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be greater than the standard reduction potential E2 of the second electrode layers  132  and  142  including Ni in the positive (+) direction. Since the standard reduction potential of Ag has a relatively larger value than those of other metals that may be used in the external electrode, the standard reduction potential E1 of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be increased even with a small content. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material included in the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may include at least one of Ag and an Ag—Ni alloy, so that the first electrode layers  131  and  141  may be prevented from being corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes  121  and  122 . 
     Hereinafter, a multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure will be described, but portions overlapping the multilayer electronic component  100  according to the exemplary embodiment will be omitted. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view schematically illustrating the multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG.  5   . 
     Hereinafter, the multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   . 
     The multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a body  110  including a dielectric layer  111  and first and second internal electrodes  121  and  122  alternately disposed with the dielectric layer  111  interposed therebetween and including first and second surfaces  1  and  2  opposing each other in the first direction, third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  connected to the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  and opposing each other in a second direction, and fifth and sixth surfaces  5  and  6  connected to the first to fourth surfaces and opposing each other in the third direction; a first external electrode  130 ′ disposed on the third surface of the body  110 ; and a second external electrode  140 ′ disposed on the fourth surface  4  of the body  110 . The first and second external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ may include a plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ disposed on the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, being in contact with the first internal electrode  121  or the second internal electrode  122 , and including a conductive material, second electrode layer  132 ′ and  142 ′ disposed on the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ and including Ni, third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ disposed on the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ and including an Ni—Sn alloy; and conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ disposed on the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ and including conductive metal  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ and resins  134   b ′ and  144   b ′, wherein E1&gt;E2 in which E1 is a standard reduction potential of the plurality of first electrode layers and E2 is a standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include the first external electrode  130 ′ disposed on the third surface  3  of the body and the second external electrode  140 ′ disposed on the fourth surface  4  of the body. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the first and second external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ of the multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ disposed on the third surface  3  and the fourth surface  4  and spaced apart from each other in the first direction, being in contact with the first internal electrode  121  or the second internal electrode  122 , and including a conductive material, the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ disposed on the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ and including Ni, the third electrodes  133 ′ and  143 ′ disposed on the second electrodes  132 ′ and  142 ′ and including an Ni—Sn alloy, and conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ disposed on the third electrode layers and including conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ and resins  134   b ′ and  144   b′.    
     The plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be disposed on the third surface  3  and the fourth surface  4  of the body  110  and may be in direct contact with the internal electrodes  121  and  122  to connect the internal electrodes  121  and  122  and the first and second eternal electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′. Specifically, the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ included in the first external electrode  130 ′ may be in direct contact with the first internal electrode  121  on the third surface  3  of the body  110 , and the plurality of first electrode layers  141 ′ included in the second external electrode  140 ′ may be in direct contact with the second internal electrode  122  on the fourth surface  4  of the body  110 . Accordingly, the first external electrode  130 ′ may be electrically connected to the first internal electrode  121 , and the second external electrode  140 ′ may be electrically connected to the second internal electrode  122 . 
     The plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be disposed on the third surface  3  and the fourth surface  4 , may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and may be in contact with the first internal electrode  121  or the second internal electrode  122 . Accordingly, the proportion of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ in the external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ may be minimized, so that the external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ may be formed to be thin. 
     The plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may include a conductive material. The type of the conductive material is not particularly limited, but preferably includes a metal having a standard reduction potential greater than the standard reduction potential (−0.26V) of Ni. For example, the conductive material may include at least one of Cu, Ag, a Cu—Ni alloy, and an Ag—Ni alloy. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may further include glass in addition to the conductive material. Accordingly, the bonding force between the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ and the body  110  may be improved. 
     A method of forming the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ is not particularly limited, but, for example, the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be plating layers formed using an electrolytic plating method, an electroless plating method, an alloy plating method, or the like after pretreating the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  of the body  110  by sandblasting, ion milling, chemical etching, or the like 
     The second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ may be disposed on the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′, and may include a conductive material such as Cu, Ni, or Pd. The type of a conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ is not particularly limited, but the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include Ni. 
     A method of forming the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ is not particularly limited. For example, the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ may be plating layers formed using an electrolytic plating method, an electroless plating method, etc, and may be sintered electrode layers formed to include a conductive material or further include glass in addition to the conductive material. 
     Meanwhile, the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be disposed spaced apart from each other in the first direction and be in contact with the first internal electrode  121  or the second internal electrode  122 , so that there may be a region not covered by the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ in the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  of the body  110 . Accordingly, the region not covered by the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ in the third and fourth surfaces  3  and  4  may be covered by the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′. 
     The third electrode layers  133 ′ and  134 ′ may be disposed on the second electrode layers  132  and  142 , and may include an intermetallic compound (IMC). The IMC included in the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  134 ′ may be IMC formed as conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ included in the conductive resin layers  133 ′ and  144 ′ to be described below and the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132  and  142  react with each other. For example, when the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ include Ni and the conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ included in the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ include Sn, the IMC included in the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ may be an Ni—Sn alloy, specifically, Ni 3 Sn, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the Ni—Sn alloy included in the third electrode layer may be Ni 3 Sn, Ni 3 Sn 2 , Ni 3 Sn 4 , or a mixture thereof. 
     A method of forming the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ is not particularly limited. For example, the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ may be formed as the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ and the conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ included in the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ to be described below react with each other during a sintering process. 
     Meanwhile, when the external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ include the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′, the moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component  101  may be weakened due to the high water permeability of the resins  134   b ′ and  144   b′.    
     According to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, since the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ include the Ni—Sn alloy, moisture that has passed through the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ may not reach the body  110  or the internal electrodes  121 ′ and  122 ′, thereby improving moisture resistance reliability of the multilayer electronic component  101 ′. 
     The conductive resin layers  134  and  144  may be disposed on the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ and may include conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ and resins  134   b ′ and  144   b′.    
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ may be disposed on the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ and extend onto portions of the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  of the body  110 . Accordingly, an occurrence of cracks in the multilayer electronic component  101  due to bending of the substrate or the like may be suppressed. 
     A component of the conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ is not particularly limited as long as the component includes a metal having electrical conductivity, but preferably, the component of the conductive metals  134   a  and  144   a ′ may include a metal capable of forming an IMC with the conductive material included in the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′. Accordingly, the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′ may include an IMC. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ may include Sn. Accordingly, Ni included in the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ may react with Sn to form a Ni—Sn alloy in the third electrode layers  133 ′ and  143 ′. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive metals  134   a ′ and  144   a ′ may include at least one of Ag, Cu, and Ni in addition to Sn. Accordingly, the electrical conductivity of the conductive resin layers may be further improved. 
     The types of the resins  134   b  and  144   b  are not particularly limited, and may be a resin that is ductile to protect the multilayer electronic component  101  from bending stress and may have strong heat resistance, for example, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a diallyl phthalate resin, a melanin resin, a guanamine resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an aminoalkyd resin, a melamine-urea cocondensation resin, a silicon resin, a polysiloxane resin and the like, but is not limited thereto. In the case of using a resin, a curing agent such as a crosslinking agent and a polymerization initiator, a polymerization accelerator, a solvent, a viscosity modifier, and the like may be further added as needed. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive resin layers  134 ′ and  144 ′ may be disposed to extend onto portions of the first and second surfaces  1  and  2  of the body  110 . Accordingly, the flexural strength of the multilayer electronic component  101  may be further improved. 
     Meanwhile, when cracks occur in the external electrodes  130  and  140 ′ due to an external impact, if the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ in contact with the internal electrodes are corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′, defective exposure of the internal electrodes may occur and the reliability of the multilayer electronic component  101  cannot be secured. 
     Specifically, when the first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ and the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′, which are in contact with each other, are exposed to moisture due to the occurrence of cracks, a potential difference may occur and a current may flow between the metals. At this time, a metal with a low standard reduction potential may be oxidized and corroded first. 
     At this time, if the standard reduction potential of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ is lower than the standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′, the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ in contact with the internal electrodes  121  and  122  may be corroded first, so defective exposure of the internal electrodes may occur. 
     According to the multilayer electronic component  101  according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, when the standard reduction potential of the first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ is Eland the standard reduction potential of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ is E2, E1&gt;E2 may be satisfied. Accordingly, even when cracks occur in the external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ and are exposed to external moisture, corrosion of the first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be prevented, thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes. 
     There may be various methods for making E1 and E2 satisfy E1&gt;E2. For example, when the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ are formed of Ni, since the standard reduction potential of Ni is −0.26V, a conductive material of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may include a metal having a standard reduction potential greater than −0.26 and a content thereof may be adjusted, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The standard reduction potentials E1 and E2 of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ and the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ may be measured by the same method as the method for measuring the standard reduction potential of the first electrode layers  131  and  141  and the second electrode layers  132  and  142  of the multilayer electronic component  100  according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure. 
     The type of metal having a standard reduction potential greater than the standard reduction potential of Ni is not particularly limited. However, since the standard reduction potential of Cu is 0.34 V, when Cu is included in the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′, the standard reduction potential E1 of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be greater than the standard reduction potential E2 of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ including Ni in the positive (+) direction. In addition, the external electrodes  130 ′ and  140 ′ may be formed at low cost, compared to other metals having a standard reduction potential higher than the standard reduction potential of Ni. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material included in the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ includes at least one of Cu and a Cu—Ni alloy, so that the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be prevented from being corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′, thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes  121  and  122 . 
     Meanwhile, a standard reduction potential of Ag is 0.80V. Thus, when Ag is included in the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′, the standard reduction potential E1 of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be greater than the standard reduction potential E2 of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′ including Ni in the positive (+) direction. Since the standard reduction potential of Ag has a larger value than that of other metals, the standard reduction potential E1 of the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be improved even with a small content. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive material included in the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ includes at least one of Ag and an Ag—Ni alloy, so that the plurality of first electrode layers  131 ′ and  141 ′ may be prevented from being corroded ahead of the second electrode layers  132 ′ and  142 ′, thereby suppressing defective exposure of the internal electrodes  121  and  122 . 
     One of the several effects of the present disclosure is to improve moisture resistance reliability by suppressing penetration of moisture into the multilayer electronic component from the outside. 
     One of the various effects of the present disclosure is to improve resistance to bending stress using ductility of the conductive resin layer. 
     One of the various effects of the present disclosure is to improve a risk of corrosion of a portion in which the internal electrodes and the external electrodes are in contact with each other even when cracks occur due to bending stress. 
     However, various and beneficial advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and will be more easily understood in the process of describing specific exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.