I am new to supercapacitor area, I would like to know whether we can use Copper foil as substrate for growing oxides and then using the same substrate as electrode (both anode and cathode).
How can I know which substrate will be stable in which electrolyte under what potential range?
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Your first question's answer is YES, you can use both side Cu as substrate, even same oxide also, this type of supercapacitor is termed as "symmetric supercapacitor".
The second one will depend on the material or substrate's property. Initially electrochemical series will guide you to choose the substrates for a different medium. Potential range will be found out from cyclic voltammetry data. You have to study in different electrolyte system to optimize the capacity of the material.
Yes you can use Cu foil as the substrate for the deposition of oxide materials and then you can use as the electrodes of supercapacitor. The potential window depends upon the deposited material, normally the voltage window of Ni and Co based oxides are in the range of 0 to 0.4 V. Whereas the voltage window of Mn based material is in the range of 0 to 0.8 V. Every material has its specific electrolyte in which it delivers enhanced performance. You can get from the literature about the selection of electrolytes.
I have tried this once but had troubles testing the system since pure copper tends to be reactive and will react with electrolytes ranging from sodium sulfate to potassium hydroxide in an electrochemical system. These reactions have a tendency to increase the overall resistance in your system.
Check the paurbaix diagram of Cu and see at what pH and voltage it is stable.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cu-pourbaix-diagram.svg
Arvinder
I agree with Arvinder, considering the pourbaix diagram of Cu. Cu is quite conductive and relatively cheap, but can be easily oxidized in high pH or reduced (dissolved) in low pH. There could be a balance between them.
Yes we can use Cu as base electrode for supercapictor applications.
Yes we can use Cu as base electrode for supercapictor applications.
Yes we can use Cu as base electrode for supercapictor applications.
Hi,
i don't recommend using Cu substrate for cathode. I do not say it is impossible but if the active material is not isolating well the copper from the electrolyte, you will take a high chance of dissolving your substrate during charge if you are in aqueous media.
good point Philippe,
(...if the active material is not isolating well the copper from the electrolyte...).
In fact it can be difficult to measure the fact that the substrate is well isolated from electrolyte. However, he will be using oxides in supercaps, which means pseudocapacity or maybe hybrid system. Then it will mean redox process and change of material phase. Definitely with time some cracks will appear and the electrolyte will attack the substrate.
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