RGO and CNTs synergistically modified mixed-phase nickel sulfide nanohybrids with abundant redox-active sites for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors

Abstract

Hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) integrating high energy density and power density have great prospects for applications in new high-performance energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, a novel reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synergistically modified mixed-phase nickel sulfide (NiS/NiS2) nanohybrids (NSRCs) were successfully designed and synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method. Benefiting from the high conductivity and high specific surface area of carbon materials and the high specific capacity of nickel sulfide, as well as the stable nanostructures constructed by the synergistic effect of multiple components, the synthesized novel NSRCs nanohybrids exhibit impressive electrochemical performances, such as high specific capacity of 178.2 mAh g−1 (1604.1 F g−1) at 0.6 A g−1, excellent rate capability (57.3 % at 20 A g−1). Furthermore, the assembled hybrid supercapacitors (NSRC-24//AC HSC) with optimal NSRC-24 electrode and activated carbon (AC) electrode imparted a high energy density of 44.2 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 359.2 W kg−1 and excellent cycling stability (98.1 % capacity retention after 12,000 cycles at 5 A g−1). Thus, the synthesized novel NSRCs nanohybrids are highly promising candidates as advanced electrode materials for aqueous high-performance energy storage devices.