Nickel foam is one of the most widely used substrates in Indian electrochemistry labs. It acts as a three-dimensional current collector for supercapacitors, batteries and electrocatalysts for water splitting. This guide from Aritech Nanomaterials India explains how to choose the right foam.
Why nickel foam?
Nickel foam combines high electrical conductivity, an open porous network with large surface area, and good stability in alkaline electrolytes such as KOH. Active materials can be grown directly on the foam by hydrothermal or electrodeposition methods, giving binder-free electrodes.
Specifications to check
- Thickness: commonly 1.0–2.0 mm for electrodes; thinner foams are easier to press.
- Pore density (PPI): pores per inch. Higher PPI means smaller pores and more surface area.
- Porosity: typically above 95% for electrode foams.
- Areal density: g/m², which affects mechanical strength and mass loading calculations.
- Purity: high-purity nickel avoids side reactions in sensitive electrochemistry.
- Sheet size: supplied as sheets that you cut to electrode size.
Cleaning before use
As-received nickel foam carries a thin oxide layer and processing residues. A common lab procedure is to sonicate the foam in dilute hydrochloric acid to remove the oxide, then rinse in water and ethanol and dry, before depositing the active material. Follow your own lab’s safety procedures for acid handling.
Applications
- Supercapacitor electrodes (NiCo2O4, MnO2, Ni(OH)2, LDHs)
- Oxygen and hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts
- Battery current collectors
- Catalyst supports and filters
Other metal foams
Copper foam is preferred where higher conductivity or copper-based catalysis is needed, and nickel-iron foam is popular for oxygen evolution studies. Both are available from Aritech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PPI is best for supercapacitors?
Many researchers use foams in the 90–110 PPI range, which balances surface area with good electrolyte access. The best choice depends on your loading method.
How should I report mass loading on nickel foam?
Weigh the foam before and after deposition and report active mass per unit area (mg/cm²). Knowing the foam’s areal density helps check your values.
Can nickel foam be cut to size?
Yes. Nickel foam is supplied in sheets and can be cut with scissors or a punch; custom sheet sizes can also be quoted.
Shop related materials in India
Browse these Aritech categories and popular products mentioned in this guide:
Popular products:
- Stainless Steel Foam
- Reticulated Vitreous Carbon Foam (open cell carbon foam) RVC Foam
- Aluminum Metal Foam
- Copper Foam
- Aluminium Foam Panel
- Reticulated Vitreous Carbon Foam
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Buy in India from Aritech
Aritech Nanomaterials India (Aritech Chemazone Pvt. Ltd., Kurukshetra) is the authorized Indian distributor of Nanochemazone® Canada. Send your product, quantity and delivery city to sales@chemazone.in or use our quotation form for an INR quotation with GST invoice.
