Diagram of an Electrolytic Capacitor
What is an Electrolytic Capacitor and what’s it made of?
Electrolytic capacitors are polarized capacitors whose anode (positive) plate is made of a metal film that forms from an insulating (film) oxide layer through anodization. The oxide layer then acts as the dielectric of the capacitor. A solid, liquid, or gel electrolyte covers the surface of the oxide layer, becoming the cathode (negative) plate of the capacitor and a protective cover of the capacitor.
Due to the thin layer of dielectric oxide and enlarged anode surface, electrolytic capacitors have a much higher capacitance-voltage (CV) product per unit volume than ceramic capacitors or film capacitors, resulting in large capacitance values.
The three families of electrolytic capacitors:
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