Electrochemical capacitors/ ionic dielectrics ?

[someguy123]

I'm reading about electrochemical capacitors here:
httpCOLON//electrochemDOTcwruDOTedu/ed/encycl/art-c03-elchem-cap.htm (Website won't let me post a URL until I've made 15 posts...)

Do electro chemical capacitors actually store charge indefinitely ? Or do they deplete as soon as the charging electric field is removed ?

I wonder this because the operating dielectric seems to be an ionic medium and wouldn't the ions promote conductivity between the positive and negative plates and thus wouldn't the capacitor self discharge ?

Can an ionic material be a dielectric and if so, why doesn't the capacitor self discharge ?

Thanks

 

[BigJDubs]

.Electrochemical capacitors (also known as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors) do indeed store charge indefinitely, provided they are kept in an environment where the operating dielectric remains intact. The electric field applied during charging does not cause the capacitor to deplete, as the ions within the dielectric act as a barrier between the positive and negative plates. This barrier prevents current from flowing directly between the plates, allowing the capacitor to maintain its charge even when the electric field is removed.Yes, an ionic material can be a dielectric, as long as the ions are immobilized within the material. The reason the capacitor does not self discharge is because the ions in the dielectric remain stationary, preventing current from flowing directly between the plates.

 

[charng]

I can provide some insight on electrochemical capacitors and ionic dielectrics. First, electrochemical capacitors, also known as supercapacitors, are energy storage devices that work by storing electrical energy in an electrostatic field. They are different from traditional capacitors, which store energy in an electric field between two conductive plates, in that they use an electrochemical double layer instead.

Now, to address your question about the charge storage of electrochemical capacitors, it is important to understand that all capacitors, including electrochemical ones, will eventually lose their charge due to leakage currents. However, compared to traditional capacitors, electrochemical capacitors have a much lower self-discharge rate due to their unique design and use of ionic materials as a dielectric.

Ionic materials can indeed act as dielectrics, as they do not conduct electricity in their solid state. However, they do allow for the movement of ions, which is essential for the functioning of electrochemical capacitors. The key here is that the ions are not free to move between the two plates, as they are held in place by the electrostatic field. This prevents self-discharge and allows for long-term charge storage.

Furthermore, electrochemical capacitors are designed with specific electrode materials and electrolytes that are optimized for charge storage and minimal self-discharge. This allows them to store charge for longer periods of time compared to traditional capacitors.

In summary, electrochemical capacitors do not store charge indefinitely, but their use of ionic dielectrics and optimized design allow for longer charge storage compared to traditional capacitors. Self-discharge is minimized due to the unique properties of ionic materials and the design of the capacitor.