An easy CTAB-assisted path towards bayberry-like Ni–Co–Mn ternary hydroxide with enhancing supercapacitor performance

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized a bayberry-like Ni–Co–Mn ternary hydroxide with a secondary nanoneedle structure using a modified and cost-effective hydrothermal process assisted by the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The incorporation of CTAB and graphene in the preparation process significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of NiCoMn–OH. The achieved results are truly impressive, with a high specific capacity of 1450 ​F ​g−1 and an outstanding capacity retention of 52.57% over 5000 cycles. The superior performance could be attributed to the specific bayberry-like microstructure with high effective specific surface area, which allowed for facile and rapid transport of ions and electrons. Moreover, the synergistic effect of CTAB and graphene proved to be crucial in stabilizing the Co2+ and Mn2+ ions within the ternary hydroxide structure. We developed a hybrid capacitor using a NiCoMn–OH-CTAB/Graphene composite electrode and an active electrode, which delivered a superior energy density of 50.79 ​Wh kg−1 at a power density of 400 ​W ​kg−1 and a cycling stability of 60.37% after 10000 cycles. These results indicate that the NiCoMn–OH-CTAB/Graphene composite electrode has great potential as an electrode material for energy storage devices.