One-Pot Hydrothermal-Derived NiS2 -CoMo2 S4 with Vertically Aligned Nanorods as a Binder-Free Electrode for Coin-Cell-Type Hybrid Supercapacitor

In situ tellurization strategy for crafting nickel ditelluride/cobalt ditelluride hierarchical nanostructures: A leap forward in hybrid supercapacitor electrode materials

Advancements in renewable energy conversion can be significantly propelled by optimizing the performance of transition-metal-based electrodes. In this study, we introduce an innovative, in situ tellurization strategy to synthesize novel, flower-like hierarchical structures of nickel ditelluride/cobalt ditelluride (NiTe2/CoTe2) on a nickel foam substrate (labeled as NF/FNCT), making them promising candidates for electrodes in hybrid supercapacitors. Initially, we utilized a hydrothermal method to create flower-like NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) nanoarrays on nickel foam (NF/FNCLDH). This process was followed by the tellurization of these nanoarrays, which yields the NiTe₂/CoTe₂ nanostructures. The strategic assembly of active materials on a conductive substrate effectively obviates the need for inert, slow-conductive binders, thereby facilitating redox chemistry. Capitalizing on the synergistic effects of the conductive tellurium and hierarchical flower-like nanomorphology, the NF/FNCT showcases expedited electron/ion transport, enhanced efficiency, and exceptional electrochemical performance. The NF/FNCT electrode discloses an impressive capacity of 1388.9 (±3) C/g, superior rate capability (83.45 % capacity retention at 30 A/g), and remarkable cycling durability of 96.67 %. Furthermore, when integrated with activated carbon (AC), the resultant hybrid supercapacitor delivers a desirable energy density of 58.85 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 806.85 W kg-1, demonstrating commendable rate capability and cycling durability. This investigation opens new avenues for the synthesis of materials for hybrid supercapacitors.

Fabrication of Hierarchical MOF-Derived NiCo2S4@Mo-Doped Co-LDH Arrays for High-Energy-Density Asymmetric Supercapacitors

The rational fabrication of composite structures made of mixed components has shown great potential for boosting the energy density of supercapacitors. Herein, an elaborate hierarchical MOF-derived NiCo2S4@Mo-doped Co-LDH arrays hybrid electrode was fabricated through a step-wise method. By leveraging the synergistic effects of a uniform array of NiCo2S4 nanowires as the core and an MOF-derived porous shell, the NiCo2S4@Mo-doped Co-LDH hybrid electrode demonstrates an exceptional specific capacitance of 3049.3 F g-1 at 1 A g-1. Even at a higher current density of 20 A g-1, the capacitance remains high at 2458.8 F g-1. Moreover, the electrode exhibits remarkable cycling stability, with 91% of the initial capacitance maintained after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g-1. Additionally, the as-fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) based on the NiCo2S4@Mo-doped Co-LDH electrode achieves an impressive energy density of 97.5 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 835.6 W kg-1. These findings provide a promising approach for the development of hybrid-structured electrodes, enabling the realization of high-energy-density asymmetric supercapacitors.

Efficient Self-Powered Overall Water Splitting by Ni4 Mo/MoO2 Heterogeneous Nanorods Trifunctional Electrocatalysts

The exploration of cost-effective multifunctional electrodes with high activity toward energy storage and conversion systems, such as self-powered alkaline water electrolysis, is very meaningful, although studies remain quite limited. Herein, a heterogeneous nickel-molybdenum (NiMo)-based electrode is fabricated for the first time as a trifunctional electrode for asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC), hydrogen evolution reaction, and oxygen evolution reaction. The trifunctional electrode consists of Ni₄ Mo and MoO₂ (denoted Ni₄ Mo/MoO₂ ) with hierarchical nanorod heterostructure and abundant heterogeneous nanointerfaces creating sufficient active sites and efficient charge transfer for achieving high performance self-power electrochemical devices. The ASC consists of the as-prepared Ni₄ Mo/MoO₂ positive electrode, showing a broad potential window of 1.6 V, and a maximum energy density of 115.6 Wh kg^-1 , while the alkaline overall water splitting (OWS) assembled using the as-prepared Ni₄ Mo/MoO₂ as bifunctional catalysts only requires a low cell voltage of 1.48 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 in aqueous alkaline electrolyte. Finally, by integrating the Ni₄ Mo/MoO₂ -based ASC and OWS devices, an aqueous self-powered OWS is assembled, which self-power the OWS to generate hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, verifying great potential of the as-prepared Ni₄ Mo/MoO₂ for sustainable and renewable energy storage and conversion system.

3D hollow NiCo LDH nanocages anchored on 3D CoO sea urchin-like microspheres: A novel 3D/3D structure for hybrid supercapacitor electrodes

The research on the structure of advanced electrode materials is significant in the field of supercapacitors. Herein, for the first time, we propose a novel 3D/3D composite structure by a multi-step process, in which 3D hollow NiCo LDH nanocages are immobilized on 3D sea urchin-like CoO microspheres. Results show that the 3D CoO acts as an efficient and stable channel for ion diffusion, while the hollow NiCo LDH provides abundant redox-active sites. The calculated results based on density function theory (DFT) show that the CoO@NiCo LDH heterostructure has an enhanced density of states (DOS) near the Fermi level and strong adsorption capacity for OH^-, indicating its excellent electrical conductivity and electrochemical reaction kinetics. As a result, the CoO@NiCo LDH electrode has an areal specific capacity of 4.71C cm^-2 at a current density of 3 mA cm^-2 (440.19C g^-1 at 0.28 A g^-1) and can still maintain 88.76 % of the initial capacitance after 5000 cycles. In addition, the assembled hybrid supercapacitor has an energy density of 5.59 mWh cm^-3 at 39.54 mW cm^-3.

Fabrication of nanosheet-assembled hollow copper-nickel phosphide spheres embedded in reduced graphene oxide texture for hybrid supercapacitors

Owing to their metalloid characteristics with high electrical conductivity, transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have attracted considerable research attention as prospective cathodes for hybrid supercapacitors. Unfortunately, they usually exhibit low rate performance as well as poor longevity, which does not meet the demands of hybrid supercapacitors. The nanocomposite constructed from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and TMPs with a highly porous nature can effectively overcome the above-mentioned issues, greatly widening their utilization. In this work, we fabricated nanosheet-assembled hollow copper-nickel phosphide spheres (NH-CNPSs) by the controllable phosphatizing of copper-nickel-ethylene glycol (CN-EG) precursors. Then, porous NH-CNPSs were embedded in rGO texture (NH-CNPS-rGO) to form a unique porous nanoarchitecture. The obtained NH-CNPS-rGO has several advantages benefiting as the cathode electrode, such as (i) the hollow structure as well as porous nanosheets are conducive to fast electrolyte diffusion, (ii) the electrical conductivity of NH-CNPS is further enhanced when coupled with the rGO texture, hence promoting electron transfer in the whole structure, (iii) wrapping NH-CNPSs within the rGO texture endows the nanocomposite with much better structural stability, resulting in longer durability of the electrode, And (iv) the porous structures generated in the nanocomposite provide a perfect space for reducing the mass transfer resistance and accessing the electrolyte, thereby boosting the reaction kinetics. The tests demonstrated that the optimal NH-CNPS-rGO electrode revealed a capacity of up to 1075 C g^-1, a superior rate capacity, and exceptional longevity of 94.7%. Moreover, a hybrid supercapacitor (NH-CNPS-rGO‖AC) equipped with the NH-CNPS-rGO-cathode electrode and activated carbon (AC)-anode electrode represented a satisfactory energy density of 64 W h kg^-1 at 801 W kg^-1 and amazing longevity (91.8% retention after 13 000 cycles), which endorses the promising potential of NH-CNPS-rGO for high-efficiency supercapacitors. This research showcases an appropriate method to engineer hollow TMP-rGO nanocomposites as effective materials for supercapacitors.