Methods—On the Reliability of the Electrochemical Data Recorded on Nickel Foam in Alkaline Solution: The Illusive Surface Oxide Layer

Abstract

The extensive application of nickel foam (Ni foam) as current collector in supercapacitors has raised caveats on the contribution of the redox-active Ni foam to the measured capacities. However, due to the overlooked qualitative features (i.e., shapes) of the cyclic voltammograms (CVs), the redox reaction of the Ni foam oxide layer (NiFOL) has been frequently confused with the true electrochemical signature of the coated materials in alkaline solution. Herein, experimental CVs, scanning electron microscopy images, and estimations reveal that due to the high porosity of the Ni foam and its surface reactivity in alkaline solution (1–6 M KOH), the redox peak couple of the NiFOL can potentially be confused with or lead to misinterpretation of the true electrochemical features of the coatings. A classification of previous papers on a group of metal oxides investigated as battery-type or pseudocapacitive electrodes in the positive potential window is also presented to reveal the confusion between NiFOL and the coating when operated in alkaline solution.