High dielectric composites as capacitive materials

摘要

Novel electrolytic capacitors are based on a composite liquid crystal electrolyte sandwiched between two electrodes where the electrolyte comprises a dispersion of a lyotropic liquid crystal in a dispersion media, and where the liquid crystal is a chromonic liquid crystal and the dispersion media is selected from a variety of materials ranging from liquids to solid polymers. Further the electrolyte optimally including a surfactant or surfactant system selected so as to influence the charge characteristics of the capacitor. The capacitors provide relatively high capacitance in a relatively thin device; are insensitive to reversal of polarity of an applied bias voltage; and can be produced at selected charging and discharging frequencies which in turn influences the characteristics of release of stored power. The invention further relates to methods of making the capacitors which utilize low cost materials and low cost fabrication techniques.