Supercapacitor R&D focuses on materials for higher energy density

China suppliers of supercapacitors explore alternative inputs from breakthroughs from local research institutes as product applications continue to increase.

Supercapacitors can store greater energy than typical capacitors, deliver power instantly and recharge faster, in addition to supporting a long cycle life span. For having the best qualities of capacitors and batteries, these are used as an advanced option to conventional capacitors, or as backup devices or replacements to batteries. From consumer electronics, computer and communications products, applications now extend to hybrid and electric vehicles or HEVs and EVs, power storage systems, and the medical and military fields.

With this growing market interest, makers of the component in China continue to check for developments, especially those pursued by local research institutes.

One recent breakthrough is on a sodium-ion supercapacitor from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Compared with widely adopted lithium, the anode material is in abundant supply and low-cost. Supercapacitors based on sodium ion boast a high 37.1mWh/cubic meter density and self-discharge at an ultralow 2.1 to 3.5V after 44 hours. These ensure normal operation under 3.5V rated voltage and in 80 C.

From earlier advances, there is one by the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences on those that employ graphene cathode material. In comparative studies, the type enables an electric bus to operate up to 35km after 7 seconds of charging, while its activated-carbon counterpart can manage 7km only on a 90-second charge. A few China companies, including Zhejiang Chaorong, now offer graphene variants.

Nanjing University of Science & Technology's Herbert Gleiter Institute of Nanoscience, in turn, undertook the development of metal oxide materials using H2PO4 and H2PO3 This is to boost the performance of electrodes and raise the capacity of supercapacitors by five to 10 times over conventional levels.

As R&D progresses in the worldwide industry, it is expected that supercapacitors will replace lithium batteries in due course.

In China, the category's market has been expanding. From $1.2 billion in 2016, $1.5 billionin 2017 and $1.76 billion in 2018, it is expected to reach $2.03 billion by end-2020, according to the Qianzhan Research Institute.

This has encouraged some local companies to invest. Hunan ShiKaiSheng has announced its supercapacitor project in the Changde High-Tech Zone in Hunan province, and is allocating $735 million. The undertaking will be in two phases, with an annual production value target of $7.4 billion once completed.

About 100 suppliers make up the line in China, including those with foreign investment. They are based in the cities of Nantong and Changzhou in Jiangsu province, Xiamen in Fujian, Dongguan in Guangdong and parts of Zhejiang.

Domestic enterprises represent 70 percent of the pool, and are mostly small and midsize operations turning out other passive components and power supplies. The major companies include Nantong Jianghai, Anhui Tongfeng and Xiamen Faratronic.

Supercapacitors account for 5 to 30 percent of local manufacturers' aggregate shipments, and up to 60 percent are sent overseas. Export deliveries have been increasing between 15 and 20 percent, a trend expected to continue in the months ahead. Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region are the main destinations.

In terms of technology and production scale, however, international players still lead the market. Powerstor, Maxwell, EPCOS, NEC, Panasonic and ECOND are among the key companies.

0.1 to 1,000F selection

Supercapacitors from China suppliers have 0.1 to 1,000F capacitance range and 300 to 5,000W/kg energy density. The rated voltage is 1.2 to 1.5V and the operating temperature -40 to 80 C. Typical units charge in 10sec and withstand 500,000 to 1 million cycles.

The main applications include consumer electronics, HEVs, EVs, UPS, and communications and industrial products.

Customization is widely accepted, orders based on which account for 20 to 50 percent of total shipments.

Manufacturers obtain activated carbon, metal oxides, electrolytes and separators from local or foreign providers, depending on buyers' requests. For the last input, the key overseas sources are NKK and Dreamweaver.

The cost of materials and components has generally been stable, but most suppliers have lowered their quotes by 5 to 10 percent as more makers enter the line and increase competition. The price trend is expected to persist at this rate.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in supercapacitors from China makers.

Supercapacitor with 1F rated capacitance

Jinzhou Kaimei Power Co. Ltd's model V Series supercapacitor has rated capacitance of 1F and rated voltage of 5.5V. It operates in -25 to 70 C.

The negotiable minimum order is delivered within 7 days.

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Supercapacitor has >200,000-cycle life span

Shandong Goldencell Electronics Technology Co. Ltd offers the model SC5R5405Z-V supercapacitor with 4F rated discharge capacitance and -20 to 80 percent tolerance. Rated at 5.5V, the unit has 6V surge voltage and ≤0.03mA leakage current at 24 hours. The unit operates in -25 to 70 C. The life span is more than 200,000 cycles on standard charge and discharge mode.

The supplier requires an order of at least 3,528 units for delivery in 3 days.

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Supercapacitor with 4F capacitance

This supercapacitor from Shenzhen Haorong New Energy Co. Ltd, CoinButtonSuperCapacitor SC4V model, has 4F capacitance and 5.5V rated voltage.

The 100-unit minimum order has a delivery lead time of 7 days.

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Supercapacitor rated at 5.5V, 0.33F

For power and back-up power supplies, the model TMCS02.033F5.5V supercapacitor from Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd has a rated voltage and capacitance of 5.5V and 0.33F. It has a life span exceeding 100,000 cycles.

An order of at least 2,000 units is for delivery within 7 days.

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