95
Fundamentals of Electrochemical Double-Layer Supercapacitors
Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems — Supercapacitors can be
used for temporary back-up power in UPS systems. They can provide instantaneous supplies of power without delays, helping to prevent malfunctions
of mission-critical applications. Supercapacitors quickly bridge the power
applications for stationary UPS systems that are augmented with fuel cells.
In addition, supercapacitors are best suited to provide power for start-up and
during peak load buffering.
Other applications — Supercapacitors show promise for critical-load
operations such as hospitals, banking centers, airport control towers, and
cell phone towers. The critical time between a power outage and the start of a
generator can be bridged effectively by supercapacitors because they provide
power within milliseconds to a few seconds after an outage. More detailed
applications will be addressed in Chapter 8.
2.10 Summary
This chapter described the fundamentals of electrochemical double-layer
supercapacitors and serves as a foundation for understanding supercapacitor science and technology. The fundamental principles of supercapacitors
include electrode–electrolyte double-layer theory leading to double-layer
models and differential capacitances of both the Helmholtz and diffuse layers. The structure and fabrication of supercapacitors with nanocarbon particle electrode materials and aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions
are presented. Energy and power density calculations were presented and
their relationships were discussed. The charging and discharging processes
of supercapacitors were also addressed by equivalent series resistance and
faradic leakage resistance and included detailed mathematical calculations.
In addition, the differences between supercapacitors and batteries, the
advantages and disadvantages of supercapacitors, and their applications
were also covered.
References
1. Becker, H. E. 1957. Low Voltage Electrolytic Capacitor.
2. Boos, D. I., and G. Heights. 1970.
Electrolytic Capacitor Having Carbon Paste
Electrodes.
3. Grahame, D. C. 1947. The electrical double-layer and the theory of electrocapillarity. Chemical Reviews, 41, 441–501.
Fundamentals of Electrochemical Double-Layer Supercapacitors
Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems — Supercapacitors can be
used for temporary back-up power in UPS systems. They can provide instantaneous supplies of power without delays, helping to prevent malfunctions
of mission-critical applications. Supercapacitors quickly bridge the power
applications for stationary UPS systems that are augmented with fuel cells.
In addition, supercapacitors are best suited to provide power for start-up and
during peak load buffering.
Other applications — Supercapacitors show promise for critical-load
operations such as hospitals, banking centers, airport control towers, and
cell phone towers. The critical time between a power outage and the start of a
generator can be bridged effectively by supercapacitors because they provide
power within milliseconds to a few seconds after an outage. More detailed
applications will be addressed in Chapter 8.
2.10 Summary
This chapter described the fundamentals of electrochemical double-layer
supercapacitors and serves as a foundation for understanding supercapacitor science and technology. The fundamental principles of supercapacitors
include electrode–electrolyte double-layer theory leading to double-layer
models and differential capacitances of both the Helmholtz and diffuse layers. The structure and fabrication of supercapacitors with nanocarbon particle electrode materials and aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions
are presented. Energy and power density calculations were presented and
their relationships were discussed. The charging and discharging processes
of supercapacitors were also addressed by equivalent series resistance and
faradic leakage resistance and included detailed mathematical calculations.
In addition, the differences between supercapacitors and batteries, the
advantages and disadvantages of supercapacitors, and their applications
were also covered.
References
1. Becker, H. E. 1957. Low Voltage Electrolytic Capacitor.
2. Boos, D. I., and G. Heights. 1970.
Electrolytic Capacitor Having Carbon Paste
Electrodes.
3. Grahame, D. C. 1947. The electrical double-layer and the theory of electrocapillarity. Chemical Reviews, 41, 441–501.