3D N,O-Codoped Egg-Box-Like Carbons with Tuned Channels for High Areal Capacitance Supercapacitors

Functional carbonaceous materials for supercapacitors (SCs) without using acid for post-treatment remain a substantial challenge. In this paper, we present a less harmful strategy for preparing three-dimensional (3D) N,O-codoped egg-box-like carbons (EBCs). The as-prepared EBCs with opened pores provide plentiful channels for ion fast transport, ensure the effective contact of EBCs electrodes and electrolytes, and enhance the electron conduction. The nitrogen and oxygen atoms doped in EBCs improve the surface wettability of EBC electrodes and provide the pseudocapacitance. Consequently, the EBCs display a prominent areal capacitance of 39.8 μF cm-2 (340 F g-1) at 0.106 mA cm-2 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The EBC-based symmetric SC manifests a high areal capacitance to 27.6 μF cm-2 (236 F g-1) at 0.1075 mA cm-2, a good rate capability of 18.8 μF cm-2 (160 F g-1) at 215 mA cm-2 and a long-term cycle stability with only 1.9% decay after 50,000 cycles in aqueous electrolyte. Impressively, even in all-solid-state SC, EBC electrode shows a high areal capacitance of 25.0 μF cm-2 (214 F g-1) and energy density of 0.0233 mWh cm-2. This work provides an acid-free process to prepare electrode materials from industrial by-products for advanced energy storage devices.

Fabrication of dual-hollow heterostructure of Ni2CoS4 sphere and nanotubes as advanced electrode for high-performance flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors

High-energy-density and flexible supercapacitors have shown numerous application potential in modern portable electronics. However, the relatively low specific capacity, poor rate retentions, and limited durability have hindered their implement. Herein, a novel hierarchical dual-hollow electrode, composed of a hollow Ni₂CoS₄ sphere and outer hollow Ni₂CoS₄ nanotubes (Ni₂CoS₄HS-HTs), is elaborately constructed. The Ni₂CoS₄HS-HT-5 exhibits a high specific capacity of 817.5 C g^-1 at a current density of 1 A g^-1 with remarkable rate retention of 75.3% at 50 A g^-1. In an all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor of Ni₂CoS₄HS-HT-5//CAC, a high capacitance of 1511.5 mF cm^-2 at 5 mA cm^-2 is obtained with an exceptional energy density of 13.6 mWh cm^-3 at a power density of 92.6 mW cm^-3. In addition, the capacity retention reaches 96% over 2000 cycles at 20 mA cm^-3, implying the outstanding durability. The flexibility and mechanical stability are demonstrated by the intact electrochemical performances under different bending angles. As a proof-of-concept, two Ni₂CoS₄HS-HT-5//CACs in series could successfully illuminate 31 LED indicators for more than 8 mins. These fascinating electrochemical performances benefit from the novel electrode structure and depict great potential for modern energy storage applications.