Pseudokapacitorer

Pseudokapacitorer is a nonstandard term that is sometimes used to refer to pseudocapacitors, a class of electrochemical energy storage devices. Pseudokapacitors store charge mainly through fast, reversible faradaic reactions at or near the electrode surface, producing pseudocapacitance. This distinguishes them from electric double-layer capacitors, which rely on non-faradaic charge separation at the interface.

The stored energy arises from surface or near-surface redox reactions, adsorption processes, or short-range intercalation, enabling higher capacitances than purely electrostatic methods while preserving rapid charge-discharge. Performance depends on material and structure, but pseudocapacitors generally offer higher energy density than traditional EDLCs and high power density, though still below most rechargeable batteries.

Common materials include transition metal oxides (such as MnO2 and RuO2), conducting polymers (polyaniline, polypyrrole), and newer classes like MXenes and related nitrides. Nanostructuring and composites with carbon materials improve surface area, ion transport, and cycling stability.

Applications span portable electronics, automotive start-stop and traction systems, and grid-scale buffering in hybrid energy storage. In practice, pseudocapacitors are often used in tandem with EDLCs or batteries to extend the high-power and energy window.

Challenges include chemical stability of redox-active phases, dissolution and corrosion, cost (e.g., RuO2), mechanical integrity, and scalability. Research focuses on new materials, optimized composites, and device engineering to improve cycle life, rate capability, and temperature tolerance.