Facile one-step hydrothermal method for NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite synthesis for efficient hybrid supercapacitor electrodes

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 277; p. 125554
• Main Authors: Abdel-Salam, Ahmed I., Attia, Sayed Y., El-Hosiny, Fouad I., Sadek, M.A., Mohamed, Saad G., Rashad, M.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-02-2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Capacitance; Cobalt sulfide; Electrochemical analysis; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Energy distribution; Energy storage; Graphene; Graphene oxide; Hybrid supercapacitors; Metal sulfides; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; NiCo2S4; Supercapacitors; Hybrid supercapacitors; NiCo2S4; Graphene oxide; Metal sulfides
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.125554

Spinel nickel-cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4) supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was fabricated through a facile one-step hydrothermal method for energy storage applications. The distribution of the NiCo2S4 nanoparticles on the rGO surface was found to improve the supercapacitive performance of the assembled device. The NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite exhibits outstanding electrochemical behavior with a capacity (C)/specific capacitance (Cs) of 536 C g−1/1072 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. To further investigate the electrochemical behavior of the NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite, a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) was constructed utilizing a NiCo2S4/rGO positive electrode and an activated carbon (AC) negative electrode. The assembled NiCo2S4/rGO//AC HSC results in outstanding specific energy (Es) of 41.52 Wh kg−1 at a specific power (Ps) of 1067 W kg−1 relative to previously reported NiCo2S4-based supercapacitors (SCs). The HSC had an Es of 36.51 Wh kg−1 at a Ps of 2065 W kg−1. Additionally, excellent cycling stability of 82% capacitance retention after 3000 repeated charge/discharge cycles was accomplished. These realized results confirm that the NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite is a suitable electrode material for SCs.
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•NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite was prepared using a one-step hydrothermal method as an electrode for a hybrid supercapacitor.•NiCo2S4 nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed and tightly anchored to the surface of the wrinkled rGO.•NiCo2S4/rGO nanocomposite exhibited a specific capacitance of 1072 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1.•NiCo2S4/rGO//AC hybrid supercapacitor showed specific energy of 41.52 W h kg−1 at a specific power of 1067 W kg−1.