NiCo2S4 nanocone arrays on three-dimensional graphene with small hole diameters for asymmetric supercapacitor

Abstract

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is utilized to fabricate 3D graphene (3D Gr) with small hole diameters using nickel nanoparticles sintered at high temperatures as the sacrificial template. NiCo2S4 nanocone arrays (NiCo2S4 NCAs) are vertically grown in situ on the 3D Gr by a seeding layer and hydrothermal synthesis process. The results show the hole diameters of 3D Gr are ∼ 3 µm. The small hole diameters of 3D Gr not only enhances the high electrical conductivity but also increases the contact area to the solution. Moreover, NiCo2S4 NCAs on the 3D Gr can provide more electrochemical redox activities and shorter channels for ion transport. NiCo2S4 NCAs/3D Gr is applied as a supercapacitor electrode, showing a specific capacitance of 948.9 F/g at 1 A/g. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled with the NiCo2S4 NCAs/3D Gr as the cathode material and the activated carbon as the anode material. The supercapacitor has an energy density of 64.1 Wh/kg at the power density of 1153.8 W/kg. It exhibits 90 % capacitance retention under 10, 000 charge and discharge cycles at 10 A/g.