Free-standing 1 D silicon nanowires (Si-NWs) were synthesized by the metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) technique and subsequently decorated with cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles synthesized by a solvothermal process. Morphological characterization of the CeO2/Si-NWs nanocomposite validates the homogeneous growth of spherical CeO2 nanoparticles around the Si-NWs, while the N2 adsorption-desorption study indicates a large specific surface area (SSA) and the presence of ink-bottle-shaped pores possessing a significant portion of mesopores. This CeO2/Si-NWs composite electrode demonstrates excellent electrochemical behavior, attaining an impressive specific capacitance (Csp) of 830 F g–1 at a current density of 1.0 A g–1, the anodic material delivers an energy density of 19 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 2.5 kW kg–1, along with exceptional durability, retaining 94% of its capacitance after 2000 charge-discharge cycles. The results show that the CeO2/Si-NWs composite electrode has great potential as an emerging category of anodic material for supercapacitors.
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