Hydrothermal synthesis of rGO/ZnCoS composite for high performance asymmetric supercapacitor and HER applications

Abstract

Here, we describe the successful hydrothermal synthesis of zinc cobalt sulfide (ZCS) and reduced graphene oxide/zinc cobalt sulfide (rZCS) nanoparticles (NPs). X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations were used to test ZCS and rZCS NPs. Through the use of cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge and discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance (EIS), the electrochemical performance of the produced materials was examined. Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions and supercapacitor applications required the development of ZCS and rZCS electrodes. 10 mA cm−2 is driven by rZCS electrodes at 132 mV HER overpotential. High specific capacitance of 891 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density and 99 % cyclic stability are displayed by the rZCS electrode even after 5000 cycles. The specific capacitance of (181 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density), capacitance retention of (92 % after 10,000 cycles at 1 A g−1, and energy and power density of (29 Wh kg−1 and 2215 W kg−1), respectively, are recommended for asymmetric supercapacitors made from cells using rZCS and rGO. Given this, the produced electrodes material holds potential for use in energy storage technologies.