Life Calculation+Technical Analysis
Potentiostatically charged Hybrid capacitors age predictably by a mechanism involving electrochemical reactions that reduce the efficiency of the cathode and consume electrolyte. One of these reactions results in the formation of hydrogen at the cathode which reacts irreversibly with the tantalum foil substrate. The material formed is much less conductive than the original. The consequence to capacitor performance is an increase in ESR and a decrease in capacitance.