Polymer hybrid capacitors-- What they are? What to pay attention when use?

2024-01-28

What is polymer hybrid capacitors? 

The electrolyte of a hybrid capacitor uses both a traditional electrolyte and a low-resistance conductive polymer. It’s a combination of a liquid and conductive polymer to serve as the electrolyte (pls below photo) and aluminum as the cathode.

Think of this technical approach as the best of both worlds: The polymer offers high conductivity—and a correspondingly low ESR. The liquid portion of the electrolyte, meanwhile, can withstand high voltages and provide higher capacitance ratings due to its large effective surface area.

Therefore, hybrid capacitors can reduce the equivalent series resistance (ESR) over a wider frequency band and temperature range than aluminum electrolytic capacitors. ESR is one of the indicators used to express the electrical characteristics and reliability performance of a capacitor. The lower the ESR value, the better the smoothing characteristics and transient response characteristics of the capacitor in the power circuit, and stable output power can be obtained. In addition, hybrid capacitors have excellent characteristics such as being able to absorb noise at high frequencies.

Why develop polymer hybrid capacitors?

Due to increasing demand for capacitors with higher capacitance and lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) in various electronic applications, the polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors are developed.

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors have been widely used for their high capacitance and energy storage capabilities. However, they are limited by relatively high ESR, which can lead to reduced efficiency and performance in some applications.

On the other hand, polymer capacitors, such as conductive polymer tantalum capacitors, offer lower ESR and better stability, but their capacitance values are often lower compared to aluminum electrolytic capacitors.

The need for capacitors that could harness the high capacitance of aluminum electrolytic capacitors with the low ESR of polymer capacitors led to the development of polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors.

By combining the benefits of both technologies, polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors aim to provide high capacitance values while maintaining low ESR, making them suitable for applications that demand both characteristics, such as in power electronics, automotive electronics, and industrial applications.

Advantages of polymer hybrid capacitors?

1. Great frequency characteristics: Conductive Polymer Hybrid capacitors can operate at high switching frequencies( see below photo 1), and are suitable for power circuits that handle higher voltage power. This is in line with the requirements of the new generation of vehicle power supplies.

2. Stable capacitance: With ceramic capacitors, capacitance drifts in response to temperature changes and DC bias. Polymer capacitors have no such problem and remain stable over time (see below photo 2). This stability is particularly important in industrial and automotive applications, which tend to experience fluctuations in operating temperatures. We have seen cases where elevated temperatures caused an effective capacitance loss of 90% or more for ceramic capacitors, meaning that the conventional capacitors deliver subpar performance in the field. Hybrid capacitors add another dimension to capacitance stability. They keep a stable capacitance in the face of common operating conditions—high frequencies and low temperatures—that reduce the capacitance of conventional liquid electrolytic capacitors. (see photo 3).

Photo 2

Photo 3

3. High Temperature Performance: Many polymer hybrid capacitors demonstrate excellent performance at elevated temperatures, allowing them to function reliably in applications where heat dissipation is a consideration, HONGDA Capacitors’ conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors, HHMR series, operating temperature up to 125℃

Features are as below:

4. Environmental Considerations: Many polymer hybrid capacitors are also environmentally friendly, as they do not contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals, making them compliant with environmental regulations. HONGDA Capacitors’ conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors, HHMR series, with RoHS REACH compliant, Halogen-free.

What we should pay attention when using conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitors?

1) Please do not touch the terminals of the capacitor directly.

2) There should be no conductors between the terminals of the capacitor to avoid short circuit. In addition, please do not spill conductive solutions such as acidic and alkaline solutions onto the capacitor.

3) Please confirm the installation environment of the circuit set equipped with capacitors. Please do not use it in the following environments.

① An environment where water or oil is directly splashed onto the capacitor or condensation occurs.

② Environment where direct sunlight hits the capacitor.

③ Environment exposed to ozone, ultraviolet rays and radiation.

④ An environment full of toxic gases (hydrogen sulfide, sulfurous acid, nitrous acid, chlorine and its compounds, bromine and its compounds, ammonia, etc.)

⑤ Environments where vibration or shock conditions exceed the range specified in the product catalog or specifications.

HONGDA Capacitors, the capacitors, inductors specialist, start production since 1999, the  ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949 certified factory. Own 5 advanced production lines, have complete quality control system, and advanced chip capacitors technology in China.

Our HHMR polymer hybrid capacitors
voltage up to 100V, capacitance up to 1500uF, load life: 4000h
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