Superkondenzátory

Superkondenzátory, also known as ultracapacitors or electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), are a type of energy storage device that bridges the gap between conventional capacitors and batteries. Unlike batteries that store energy through chemical reactions, supercapacitors store energy electrostatically by accumulating ions at the interface between an electrode and an electrolyte. This electrochemical double-layer formation allows them to achieve significantly higher capacitance values than traditional capacitors.

The key components of a supercapacitor include two electrodes, typically made from high-surface-area materials like activated carbon, and an electrolyte, which can be aqueous, organic, or ionic liquid based. When a voltage is applied across the electrodes, ions from the electrolyte migrate to the surface of the oppositely charged electrode, forming an electrical double layer. This layer acts as a dielectric, effectively increasing the capacitance.

Supercapacitors offer several advantages. They can be charged and discharged very rapidly, making them ideal for applications requiring quick bursts of power, such as regenerative braking in electric vehicles or stabilizing power grids. Their lifespan is also considerably longer than batteries, with hundreds of thousands to millions of charge-discharge cycles possible. Furthermore, they operate efficiently over a wide temperature range and are generally considered safer than batteries due to the absence of hazardous chemical reactions. However, their energy density is lower than that of batteries, meaning they store less energy for a given size or weight, which limits their use in applications requiring sustained energy over long periods. Research continues to focus on improving energy density and reducing costs for broader adoption.