Cobalt Foam Electrode (Porous Co Substrate)

Cobalt foam is a 3D porous cobalt-based scaffold used as a conductive substrate and catalyst-support architecture. The open-cell network provides continuous electron pathways while permitting electrolyte transport through the structure, supporting high active-material utilisation when catalysts or functional layers are deposited, grown, or infiltrated onto the foam.

Key material attributes

Cobalt surfaces are widely studied in alkaline electrocatalysis and transition-metal chemistry, making cobalt foam attractive for rapid materials screening and proof-of-concept electrode builds. Key features include:

• High surface-accessible 3D framework for catalyst anchoring and growth
• Mechanical robustness for repeated handling, rinsing, and cycling studies
• Efficient ion and gas transport relative to flat substrates in porous builds

Because cobalt can form surface oxides/hydroxides and may dissolve under certain conditions, stability depends strongly on electrolyte, potential window, and current density. For comparative research, keep pre-conditioning, wetting time, and contact compression consistent.

Compatibility and integration

Cobalt foam is compatible with standard electrochemical testing using potentiostats/galvanostats (CV, CA/CP, EIS) and can be integrated into half-cells, flow cells, and gas-evolution fixtures. Use defined exposed area and robust clamping to minimise contact resistance and improve repeatability, especially for impedance measurements.

Typical applications

• Electrocatalysis screening (e.g., oxygen-evolution related studies)
• Substrate/support for cobalt-based catalyst growth or electrodeposition
• Battery and supercapacitor porous-electrode concepts and high-loading trials
• Porous electrode prototypes requiring rapid mass transport
  
  

Why choose ScienceGears

ScienceGears provides practical guidance on foam selection and integration with electrochemical cells and test platforms, including cut-to-size options for consistent geometric area in AU/NZ research workflows.