Fig. 1 shows scanning electron micrographs
of these electrodes. Photograph (a) shows the surface of the
carbon powder/polymer composite plate; the surface appears
relatively smooth and uniform on the scale shown. Photographs
(b) and (c) show the pressed nickel foam and pressed
reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes (electrodes type 1 and
2 respectively) and it can be seen that the foam structures
are retained although they are compressed and some strands
in the structure have been broken. By eye, it is very clear that
the plates have a covering but it is not apparent that the layers
retain the foam structure.