Ultrakondenzátory

Ultrakondenzátory, also known as superkondenzátory or ultracapacitors, are electrochemical energy storage devices that bridge the gap between conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries. Unlike conventional capacitors that store energy electrostatically, ultrakondenzátory store energy via an electrochemical double-layer. This double-layer forms at the interface between a high-surface-area electrode material and an electrolyte. This mechanism allows them to store significantly more energy than traditional capacitors.

The charge storage mechanism in ultrakondenzátory relies on the accumulation of ions from the electrolyte onto the surface of the electrodes. When a voltage is applied, ions of opposite polarity are attracted to the electrode surfaces, forming a diffuse layer of charge. This separation of charge over a very short distance, on the order of nanometers, results in a very high capacitance. The electrode materials typically used are highly porous carbons, such as activated carbon or carbon nanotubes, due to their exceptionally large surface areas, which can be as high as thousands of square meters per gram.

Compared to batteries, ultrakondenzátory offer much faster charge and discharge rates, longer cycle life (hundreds of thousands to millions of cycles), and a wider operating temperature range. However, their energy density is generally lower than that of batteries, meaning they store less energy for a given weight or volume. This makes them suitable for applications where rapid energy delivery or frequent cycling is more critical than maximum energy storage. Common applications include regenerative braking in vehicles, power backup systems, and portable electronics where quick bursts of power are needed.