Two-step electrodeposition synthesis of iron cobalt selenide and nickel cobalt phosphate heterostructure for hybrid supercapacitors

Litchi-Skin-Like NiMoP2 Microspheres Supported on MOF-Derived Carbon Layer as High Performance Composite Positive Electrode of Asymmetric Supercapacitor

Developing ideal positive electrodes with excellent performance and structural stability for supercapacitors is crucial in enhancing the application potential. Herein, we successfully fabricate a composite structure of NiMoP2@C on nickel foam (NF) (NMP@C/NF), which is formed by loading a litchi-skin-like morphology NiMoP2 microspheres onto MOF-derived carbon layer with the two-step electrodeposition method. The carbon layer acts as a structurally stable framework, and its synergistic effect with active materials suppresses volume expansion while enhancing electron transport efficiency. Meanwhile, the heterogeneous interface between crystalline/amorphous phases optimizes redox reaction kinetics, and the unique morphology composed of multi-scale components increases the accessible surface area for redox reactions. As a result, the NMP@C/NF obtains a high specific capacitance of 2224.8 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, and the capacitance retention rate is 94.97% after 8000 cycles. The asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled with NMP@C/NF positive electrode and active carbon negative electrode generates an energy density of 52.52 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 784.55 W kg-1, and its capacitance retention rate reaches up to 78% after 8000 cycles. This study provides promising pathway for the rational design of high-performance and environmentally friendly positive electrodes for supercapacitors.

A FeCo-Se@NiCo-PO4 Electrode Designed by Hierarchical Strategy for Supercapacitors and NiCo//Bi Batteries

In this work, FeCo-Se and NiCo-PO4 were electrodeposited on nickel foam (NF) successively to prepare a cathode material for asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) and NiCo//Bi batteries. FeCo-Se@NiCo-PO4 combines the advantages of transition metal selenides (TMSs) and transition metal phosphates (TMPs). FeCo-Se electrodeposited in the underlying layer can facilitate electron transfer for higher conductivity. NiCo-PO4 in the outer layer can facilitate OH- ions diffusion because TMPs can be intercalated into ions readily and the outer robust P-O bond of TMPs can stabilize the structure. Precisely because the hierarchical structure maximizes the synergy between FeCo-Se and NiCo-PO4, FeCo-Se@NiCo-PO4 delivers a rapid electron/ion transfer capability and superior electrochemical performance. The FeCo-Se@NiCo-PO4 exhibits a high specific capacitance of 2221.5 F g-1 (888.6 C g-1) at 1 A g-1. Its aqueous ASC shows specific capacitance of 115.8 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and all-solid-state ASC presents high reversibility. Its aqueous NiCo//Bi battery has superior durability of about 60% capacity retention and 98% Coulombic efficiency after 2300 cycles. And its all-solid-state NiCo//Bi battery possesses a higher energy density and power density.

Compositionally Tunable Mn-V-Fe Phosphoselenide Nanorods with Minimal Ion-Diffusion Barrier as High Energy Density Battery Electrode Materials

The design and synthesis of novel heterostructured electrode materials are crucial to enable the fabrication of efficient supercapacitor devices. In this regard, transition metal phosphochalcogenides (S, Se) are promising candidates owing to their exotic electronic properties. Herein, a facile two-step hydrothermal protocol was used to synthesize binary and ternary metal phospho-selenide electrodes (Mn-Fe-P-Se, V-Fe-P-Se, Mn-V-P-Se, and Mn-Fe-V-P-Se). The chemical composition, morphology, and structure of the as-fabricated materials were fully investigated. The three-electrode electrochemical evaluation at 1.0 A g-1 demonstrated that the ternary metal electrode (MFVP-Se) exhibits a high capacity of 1968.63 C g-1. To assess the practical value of the rationally designed Mn-Fe-V-P-Se electrode material, Mn-Fe-V-P-Se was used as a positive electrode coupled with activated carbon (AC) as a negative electrode to assemble a hybrid supercapacitor device. This Mn-Fe-V-P-Se//AC device delivers a power density of 1999.96 W kg-1 with a high energy density of 149.88 Wh kg-1 coupled with no capacity loss after 5000 charging/discharging cycles. Additionally, density functional theory calculations revealed that our electrode exhibits suitable adsorption energy for OH- ions with a minimal diffusion barrier for ions.

One-Step Cooperative Growth of High Reaction Kinetics Composite Homogeneous Core-Shell Heterostructure

Reaction kinetics can be improved by the enhanced electrical contact between different components growing symbiotically. But so far, due to the necessity for material synthesis conditions match, the component structures of cooperative growth are similar, and the materials are of the same type. The collaborative growth of high-reaction kinetics composite homogeneous core-shell heterostructure between various materials is innovatively proposed with different structures in one step. The NiCo-LDH and PPy successfully symbiotically grow on activated carbon fiber fabric in one step. The open channel structure of the NiCo-LDH nanosheets is preserved while PPy effectively wrapped around the NiCo-LDH. The well-defined nanostructure with abundant active sites and convenient ion diffusion paths is favorable for electrolyte entry into the entire nanoarrays. In addition, owing to the enhanced electronic interaction between different components through XPS analysis, the NiCo-LDH@PPy electrode shows outstanding reaction kinetics and structural stability. The as-synthesized NiCo-LDH@PPy exhibited excellent super-capacitive storage capabilities, robust capacitive activity, and good rate survival. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device made of NiCo-LDH@PPy and activated carbon (AC) is able to maintain a long cycle life while achieving high power and energy densities.

Engineering Interfacial Built-in Electric Field in Polymetallic Phosphide Heterostructures for Superior Supercapacitors and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Herein, a patterned rod-like CoP@NiCoP core-shell heterostructure is designed to consist of CoP nanowires cross-linked with NiCoP nanosheets in tight strings. The interfacial interaction within the heterojunction between the two components generates a built-in electric field that adjusts the interfacial charge state and create more active sites, accelerating the charge transfer and improving supercapacitor and electrocatalytic performance. The unique core-shell structure suppresses the volume expansion during charging and discharging, achieving excellent stability. As a result, CoP@NiCoP exhibits a high specific capacitance of 2.9 F cm-2 at a current density of 3 mA cm-2 and a high ion diffusion rate (Dion is 2.95 × 10-14  cm2  s-1 ) during charging/discharging. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor CoP@NiCoP//AC exhibits a high energy density of 42.2 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 126.5 W kg-1 and excellent stability with a capacitance retention rate of 83.8% after 10 000 cycles. Furthermore, the modulated effect induced by the interfacial interaction also endows the self-supported electrode with excellent electrocatalytic HER performance with an overpotential of 71 mV at 10 mA cm-2 . This research may provide a new perspective on the generation of built-in electric field through the rational design of heterogeneous structures for improving the electrochemical and electrocatalytical performance.