FAQ-Supercapacitors

The Lithium-ion Capacitor is an electrochemical capacitor that combines the ion intercalation mechanism of a lithium-ion battery with the cathode composition of an electric double-layer capacitor, commonly known as a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor. This hybrid configuration allows the LiC to have superior energy density compared to conventional supercapacitors and increased power density, safety, and charging efficiency compared to lithium-ion batteries.

This unique configuration of the LiC cell is comprised of activated carbon cathodes and graphitic anodes that are pre-lithiated by a patented process. The lithiated anode lowers the charge potential which results in an overall higher cell voltage. A separator in LiC prevents direct electrical of a carbon-based material doped with lithium ions. The SPEL Li-ion Capacitor utilizes specially-developed high-performance carbon electrodes that increase capacity and lower internal resistance.

SPEL's unique proprietary patented process makes SPEL Lithium-ion Capacitors cost effective when compared to conventional supercapacitors.

As Lithium-ion capacitor is a hybrid electrochemical energy storage device which combines the intercalation mechanism of a lithium-ion battery anode, and the double-layer mechanism of the cathode of an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC).

The negative electrode or anode of the LiC is of battery type, and this anode can be charged to contain large amounts of energy by reversible intercalation of lithium ions. This process is an Electrochemical Reaction, while the cathode is involved in an electrostatic process. So LiC Storage mechanism is combination of Faradic at anode where intercalation occurs due to electrochemical reaction and Non-Faradic at the cathode where only surface adsorption-desorption occurs

Lithium-ion Capacitor (LiC) is combination of "best of both the world" namely EDLCs and Batteries.

When compared to Batteries LiCs haves higher power, longer cycle life, no memory effects, low self discharge and are safer to use than batteries.

When compared with EDLCs, LiCs have a higher single cell voltage resulting in higher energy density than EDLCs.

Lithium-ion Capacitors are relatively safe when compared with Lithium-Ion Battery, because of composition of electrode material which has minimal Oxide content. Oxide content is like catalyst for heat generation. Also, the internal resistance of LiC is much lower than than LIBs and because of this the internal heat generation is minimal.

Apart from mentioned properties the high specific surface area of LiC electrode enhances the thermal and chemical stability wich makes Lithium-ion Capacitors a safer alternative to Lithium-ion batteries.

End of life of Lithium-ion Capacitor is defined as when the capacitance drop is 20% and/or 100% increase in ESR.

By using Arrhenius plots method, logarithim of the chemical kinetics reaction rate constant is plotted against reciprocal of the temperature change to analyze the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. It is observrd that for every 10℃ drop of operational temperature, the product life becomes approximately double if all other conditions being equal. Likewise for every 0.1 V drop, the product life extends about double.