Construction of (Ni, Cu) Se2 //Reduced Graphene Oxide for High Energy Density Asymmetric Supercapacitor

Tremella-like 2D Nickel-Copper Disulfide with Ultrahigh Capacity and Cyclic Retention for Hybrid Supercapacitors

Two-dimensional (2D) disulfides possess unique physical and chemical properties and are widely used in electronic and photoelectric devices. Tuning the composition and optimizing the structure of the disulfides are feasible approaches to designing target sulfides for hybrid supercapacitors. This work synthesizes the tremella-like nanosheet-connected (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂ via solvothermal and sulfur-vapor vulcanization. The 2D (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂ electrode performs a high reversible capacity (526.0 mA h g^-1 at 1 A g^-1), decent capacity retention (75.6%) at 10 A g^-1, and prolonged cyclic retention (94.4% over 15,000 cycles), which is higher than that of (Cu_xNi_1-x)O and monometallic sulfides of NiS₂ and CuS. The elevated electrochemical properties of (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂ are attributed to the optimized composition with increased redox reaction, enlarged lattice distance, abundant active sites, and attractive electronic and ionic conductivity. Also, (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂ and active carbon (AC) are assembled to form a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC). The (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂//AC HSC demonstrates a maximum specific capacitance of 231.0 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 and a high energy density of 82.4 W h kg^-1 at a power density of 1.82 kW kg^-1. Outstanding cyclic retentions of 94.9 and 84.5% after 8000 and 10,000 cycles are also obtained. In conclusion, this result suggests a facile routine for preparing a novel 2D layer material of (Cu_xNi_1-x)S₂ with outstanding specific capacity and cycling performance for hybrid supercapacitors.

Nanostructure Nickel-Based Selenides as Cathode Materials for Hybrid Battery-Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted many attentions and already became part of some high-power derived devices such as Tesla's electric cars because of their higher power density. Among all types of electrical energy storage devices, battery-supercapacitors are the most promising for superior performance characteristics, including short charging time, high power density, safety, easy fabrication procedures, and long operational life. An SC usually consists of two foremost components, namely electrode materials, and electrolyte. The selection of appropriate electrode materials with rational nanostructured designs have resulted in improved electrochemical properties for high performance and has reduced the cost of SCs. In this review, we mainly spotlight the nickel-based selenides nanostructured which applied as high-performance cathode materials for SCs. Different nickel-based selenides materials are highlighted in various categories, such as nickel-cobalt-based bimetallic chalcogenides and nickel-M based selenides. Also, we mentioned material modification for this material type. Finally, the designing strategy and future improvements on nickel-based selenides materials for the application of SCs are also discussed.

Design and synthesis of 3D hierarchical NiMoS4@CuCo2S4 array electrode with excellent electrochemical performance

Large capacitance energy storage materials have a great application prospect due to the development of portable devices. An electrochemical deposition method was used to combine amorphous CuCo₂S₄ with NiMoS₄, which was prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method. The resulting grass-like nanowire array structure greatly promotes the utilization rate of active materials. By the addition of two variable valence metal ions, there is an increase in electrolyte touchable active sites and a decrease in the impedance of the electrode materials. Compared with bare NiMoS₄, the binder-free composite electrode has a significantly better capacitance characteristic. In particular, the NiMoS₄@CuCo₂S₄-8 has excellent capacity performance with a specific capacitance of 13.14 F cm^-2 at the current density of 5 mA cm^-2. The electrode shows 73% capacitance retention after 2000 charge-discharge cycles. It is shown that the combined effect of the nanowires and the several variable valence metal ions is effective to increase the specific capacitance of bimetallic sulfides.

Applications of MxSey (M = Fe, Co, Ni) and Their Composites in Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

Transition-metal selenides (M_xSe_y, M = Fe, Co, Ni) and their composites exhibit good storage capacities for sodium and lithium ions and occupy a unique position in research on sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. M_xSe_y and their composites are used as active materials to improve catalytic activity. However, low electrical conductivity, poor cycle stability, and low rate performance severely limit their applications. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to and understanding of the current research progress of M_xSe_y and their composites. Moreover, this review proposes a broader research platform for these materials, including various bioelectrocatalytic performance tests, lithium-sulfur batteries, and fuel cells. The synthesis method and related mechanisms of M_xSe_y and their composites are reviewed, and the effects of material morphologies on their electrochemical performance are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of M_xSe_y and their composites as well as possible strategies for improving the storage and conversion of electrochemical energy are also summarized.

Ni-Co Selenide Nanosheet/3D Graphene/Nickel Foam Binder-Free Electrode for High-Performance Supercapacitor

Transition-metal selenide electrodes have recently attracted increasing interest in supercapacitors resulting from their superior electrochemical performance, lower-cost, and environmental friendliness. Herein, we report a novel bimetallic Ni-Co selenide nanosheet/three-dimensional (3D) graphene/nickel foam binder-free electrode (NiCo_2.1Se_3.3 NSs/3D G/NF) prepared via chemical vapor deposition followed by a simple two-step hydrothermal process in this paper. The NiCo_2.1Se_3.3 NSs array vertically on 3D G/NF with a uniform and stable structure without using any chemical binders. This novel electrode is flexible, highly conductive, and exhibits an excellent specific capacitance of ∼742.4 F g^-1 at 1 mA cm^-2. Furthermore, with a 10-fold increase to 10 mA cm^-2, it still retains 471.78 F g^-1 and a high cycling stability of ∼83.8% of the initial retention after 1000 cycles at 10 mA cm^-2, demonstrating that NiCo_2.1Se_3.3 NSs/3D G/NF binder-free electrode has potential for energy storage application in high-performance supercapacitor fields.

"Cuju"-Structured Iron Diselenide-Derived Oxide: A Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Electrocatalysts with outstanding performance have been highly desired toward exploration of new energy storage and conversion devices/systems as well as making an efficient and eco-friendly utilization of green energy. In this study, we composed an iron-based binary diselenide-derived oxide (Fe-SDO) with a facile one-step hydrothermal method to utilize the earth-abundant iron and the probably prosperous catalytic performance of metal-selenides compounds. The catalyst exhibits an overpotential of 226 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm², a Tafel slope of 41 mV dec^-1, and robust durability after catalyzing vigorous OER for 36 h constantly. Through several analytical methods conducted before and after the oxygen evolution reaction activation on FeSe₂ it was discovered that such catalyst possessed a morphology as "Cuju"-like balls with porosity inside in which we explored the vacancy defects and lattice distortion that play significant roles in generating the high electrocatalytic performance of our proposed catalyst by inducing remarkable electron conductivity in the porous Cuju balls (a Chinese traditional football). Throughout our work the superb electrocatalyst performance of the iron-based compounds was demonstrated, and subsequently the underlying reason for such electrocatalyst performance was addressed, which may push boundaries for the exploration of iron-based compounds as OER catalyst and large-scale commercial application of such compounds in the future.