Matching Metals in Electrolytic Capacitors: Necessity or Flexibility?

[neuro11]

Is it necessary that the conductive plates and the dielectric should be of same metal type in a electrolytic capacitor? For example if anode and cathode plates are silicon, the dielectric also needs to be SiO2. or what if the anode and cathode plate are of different metal type??

 

[NascentOxygen]

Hi neuro11.

I'm not sure that a SiO2 dielectric would necessitate that it be an electrolytic capacitor, I think you can grow an oxide layer on Si without electrolysis.

But to your question, manufacturing a device with dissimilar metals bathed in electrolyte sounds like a recipe for disaster. It's basically a battery. I anticipate that electrolytic corrosion would spell death to your device, sooner or later!

 

[neuro11]

Ok...i understand the problem...