Marigold flower-like structured battery-type Cu2O/Co(OH)2 composite electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

Addressing the limitations of individual Cu2O and Co(OH)2 components, this study aims to develop a high-performance supercapacitor electrode by synergistically combining these materials. A composite electrode material of Cu2O/Co(OH)2 was effectively synthesized on nickel foam via a facile hydrothermal method for supercapacitor applications. The as-fabricated Cu2O/Co(OH)2 composite electrode exhibits a hierarchical marigold flower-like morphology that comprises of many interspersed nanoflakes. This unique morphology offers several advantages, including increased surface area, abundant electroactive sites, and enhanced electrolyte accessibility, all of which contribute to superior electrochemical performance. The Cu2O/Co(OH)2 electrode demonstrates exceptional battery-type supercapacitor behavior, characterized by prominent redox peaks in cyclic voltammetry curves and a well-defined potential plateau during galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. The electrode delivers an outstanding specific capacitance of 90.21 mA h g⁻1 at a current density of 1.25 A g⁻1 and retains a remarkable 81.91 % capacitance at a high current density of 12.5 A g⁻1. Furthermore, the electrode exhibits impressive cycling stability, maintaining approximately 107.84 % of its initial specific capacity value after 200 cycles at 7.5 A g⁻1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal low solution resistance and charge-transfer resistance, signifying efficient charge-transfer kinetics within the electrode. These findings highlight the potential of Cu2O/Co(OH)2 composite electrodes as promising candidates for high-performance supercapacitor applications.