The hierarchical synthesis of tungsten disulfide coated vertically aligned boron carbon nitride nanotubes composite electrodes for supercapacitors

Abstract

This study investigated the specific capacitance, energy density and cyclic stability parameters of a WS2 coated vertically aligned BCN nanotubes (VA-BCN-NTs) composite electrode structure. The specific capacitance of VA-BCN-NTs was found to be 364Fg−1 at a current density of 0.5Ag−1. This electrode had 97% of their initial specific capacitance after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 20Ag−1, exhibiting excellent cyclic stability. In the three-electrode cell, the specific capacitance of the VA-BCN-NT@WS2 electrode at a current density of 0.5Ag−1 was calculated to be 690Fg−1. After 5000 cycles at a current density of 20Ag−1, the electrode structure had a capacitance value of 74%, showing good stability. In the two-electrode cell, the specific capacitance of the VA-BCN-NT@WS2 symmetrical supercapacitor at a current density of 1Ag−1 was found to be 170Fg−1. It was observed to have retained 85% of its capacitance after 10,000 cycles over a 1 V potential range. While the energy density of this structure was 23.6Whkg−1, the power density was 4250Wkg−1.