High-performance Supercapacitor Electrode Research Articles

Synthesis and application of nanorod Bi2WO6/ZnO/rGO composite as a latent high-performance supercapacitor electrode

Bismuth Tungstate/Zinc oxide/reduced Graphene Oxide (Bi2WO6(BWO)/ZnO/rGO) nanocomposites with various ratios of rGO were fabricated utilizing a surfactant-driven hydrothermal process to investigate structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties as a potential electrode material. Compared with the BWO/ZnO/rGO(0.03 wt%) to BWO/ZnO/rGO(0.02 wt%) and BWO/ZnO/rGO(0.02 wt%) composite electrodes, the composite with the highest concentration of rGO with a particular capacitance demonstrates much greater capacitive performances(Cs) of 254.34 Fg−1 at 2 A/g with high cycling stability with capacitance retention of 79.67 % of the initial capacitance(Cs). A good rate capacity of 87.39 % at 5 A/g, 85.37 % at 10 A/g, and a 79.67 % reduction of its initial capacitance at an extreme charge/discharge current density of 20 A/g. The enhanced performance of BWO/ZnO/rGO composites suggested a potential material for supercapacitor electrodes. EDX result ensures the chemical purity level of synthesized nanocomposites according to the experiment design. The SEM results of the composites BWO/ZnO/rGO exhibit a 50–150 nm long short rod-like shape and an average diameter of approximately 50 nm. The XRD patterns of BWO, BWO/ZnO, and BWO/ZnO/rGO have crystallite sizes of 42.016, 44.845, and 59.784 nm respectively representing a gradual increase in size wt% of rGO increased in the composite.

3D porous PEDOT/MXene scaffold toward high-performance supercapacitors

3D architectures of conductive polymer, especially PEDOT hold great promise in energy storage and conversion fields. However, the facile construction of 3D PEDOT and its functionalization have still been challenges due to its poor processability. Herein, the fabrication of 3D porous PEDOT:PSS and its functionalization with MXene are realized synchronously through a simple and low-cost self-assembly process. The prominent capacitive performance of MXene, excellent chemical stability of PEDOT:PSS and 3D porous architecture with inhibited aggregation of MXene nanosheets, large amount of active sites, and electrolyte storage chamber endow the PEDOT/MXene-based porous structure with superior capacitive performance than individual PEDOT:PSS or MXene porous and flat structures. Furthermore, the PEDOT/MXene-based porous structure can be applied as a flexible scaffold for the deposition of conductive polymer to construct excellent electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs). When polypyrrole (PPy) is deposited, the prepared porous PEDOT:PSS/MXene/PPy electrode exhibits a high gravimetric specific capacitance of 345 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and a remarkable capacitance retention of 89 % over 5000 cycles. Based on it, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with a high energy density of 56.34 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 120 W kg−1, and a capacitance retention of 75 % after 5000 cycles is developed. Besides, the porous PEDOT:PSS/MXene/PPy can be constructed on various substrates in any pattern with high design freedom, thus enabling customizable electrochemical performance. When constructing on a flexible substrate, excellent deformation-tolerant performance is shown. This work provides a high-performance electrode for SCs, as well as a universal route for the construction and functionalization of 3D PEDOT-based structures.

Novel three-dimensional architectured ZnMgAl ternary layered double hydroxide@reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor

Ternary layered double hydroxides (LDH) have recently attracted immense attention owing to their stupendous features, such as fine compositional tuning, multiple valence states, and superior electrochemical activity. Moreover, their intriguing structures and distinctive physiochemical properties delineate them as an exemplary material to serve as electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors (SCs). The present work reports the in-situ synthesis of Zinc Magnesium Aluminium LDH (ZMA) integrated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through a single-step hydrothermal approach. The resulting novel ternary ZMA@rGO nanocomposite (ZMAG) possesses a unique architecture incorporating hierarchical 3D nanoflowers of ZMA embedded on graphene nanosheets. The porous morphology of LDH improves interfacial charge transport, which results in more faradaic reactions at the electrochemically active sites. In addition, the conductive graphene nanosheets render a high specific surface area, endowing excellent capacitive behavior. The amalgamated electrochemical properties of ZMA and rGO develop a competent electrode material (ZMAG) for SCs. The ZMAG2 nanocomposite having ZMA and rGO in 1:1, evinces a specific capacitance (Cs) of 656.7 F/g at a current density (Id) of 1 A/g. Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) features admirable cycle stability (retains 89% of initial capacitance after 15,000 charge/discharge cycles). Herein, the real-time application of ZMA@rGO//AC ASC has also been demonstrated. Therefore, hierarchical porous nanostructure proclaims new prospects for fabricating proficient electrode materials for energy storage devices.

High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes from Fully Biomass-Based Polybenzoxazine Aerogels with Porous Carbon Structure.

In recent years, polybenzoxazine aerogels have emerged as promising materials for various applications. However, their full potential has been hindered by the prevalent use of hazardous solvents during the preparation process, which poses significant environmental and safety concerns. In light of this, there is a pressing need to explore alternative methods that can mitigate these issues and propel the practical utilization of polybenzoxazine aerogels. To address this challenge, a novel approach involving the synthesis of heteroatom self-doped mesoporous carbon from polybenzoxazine has been devised. This process utilizes eugenol, stearyl amine, and formaldehyde to create the polybenzoxazine precursor, which is subsequently treated with ethanol as a safer solvent. Notably, the incorporation of boric acid in this method serves a dual purpose: it not only facilitates microstructural regulation but also reinforces the backbone strength of the material through the formation of intermolecular bridged structures between polybenzoxazine chains. Moreover, this approach allows ambient pressure drying, further enhancing its practicability and environmental friendliness. The resultant carbon materials, designated as ESC-N and ESC-G, exhibit distinct characteristics. ESC-N, derived from calcination, possesses a surface area of 289 m2 g-1, while ESC-G, derived from the aerogel, boasts a significantly higher surface area of 673 m2 g-1. Furthermore, ESC-G features a pore size distribution ranging from 5 to 25 nm, rendering it well suited for electrochemical applications such as supercapacitors. In terms of electrochemical performance, ESC-G demonstrates exceptional potential. With a specific capacitance of 151 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1, it exhibits superior energy storage capabilities compared with ESC-N. Additionally, ESC-G displayed a more pronounced rectangular shape in its cyclic voltammogram at a low voltage scanning rate of 20 mV s-1, indicative of enhanced electrochemical reversibility. The impedance spectra of both carbon types corroborated these findings, further validating the superior performance of ESC-G. Furthermore, ESC-G exhibits excellent cycling stability, retaining its electrochemical properties even after 5000 continuous charge-discharge cycles. This robustness underscores its suitability for long-term applications in supercapacitors, reaffirming the viability of heteroatom-doped polybenzoxazine aerogels as a sustainable alternative to traditional carbon materials.

Fabrication of Sandwiched NiCo-Layered Double Hydroxides/Carbon Nanoballs for Sustainable Energy Storage.

This study presents a promising method for creating high-performance supercapacitor electrodes. The approach involves crafting a unique composite material-nickel-cobalt-layered double hydroxides (NiCo-LDH) grown on carbon nanoballs (CNBs). This is achieved by first creating a special carbon material rich in oxygen and nitrogen from a polybenzoxazine source. At first, eugenol, ethylene diamine and paraformaldehyde undergo Mannich condensation to form the benzoxazine monomer, which undergoes self-polymerization in the presence of heat to produce polybenzoxazine. This was then carbonized and activated to produce CNBs containing heteroatoms. Then, through a hydrothermal technique, NiCo-LDH nanocages are directly deposited onto the CNBs, eliminating the need for complicated templates. The amount of CNBs used plays a crucial role in performance. By optimizing the CNB content to 50%, a remarkable specific capacitance of 1220 F g-1 was achieved, along with excellent rate capability and impressive cycling stability, retaining 86% of its capacitance after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, this NiCo-LDH/CNB composite, when combined with active carbon in a supercapacitor configuration, delivered outstanding overall performance. The exceptional properties of this composite, combined with its simple and scalable synthesis process, position it as a strong contender for next-generation sustainable energy storage devices. The ease of fabrication also opens doors for its practical application in advancing energy storage technologies.

Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbons Derived from Peanut Shells as Efficient Electrodes for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

The doping of porous carbon materials with nitrogen is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of electrode materials. In this study, nitrogen-doped porous carbon derived from peanut shells was prepared as an electrode for supercapacitors. Melamine, urea, urea phosphate, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were employed as different nitrogen dopants. The optimized electrode material PA-1-1 prepared by peanut shells, with ammonium dihydrogen phosphate as a nitrogen dopant, exhibited a N content of 3.11% and a specific surface area of 602.7 m2/g. In 6 M KOH, the PA-1-1 electrode delivered a high specific capacitance of 208.3 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g. Furthermore, the PA-1-1 electrode demonstrated an excellent rate performance with a specific capacitance of 170.0 F/g (retention rate of 81.6%) maintained at 20 A/g. It delivered a capacitance of PA-1-1 with a specific capacitance retention of 98.8% at 20 A/g after 5000 cycles, indicating excellent cycling stability. The PA-1-1//PA-1-1 symmetric supercapacitor exhibited an energy density of 17.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 2467.0 W/kg. This work not only presents attractive N-doped porous carbon materials for supercapacitors but also offers a novel insight into the rational design of biochar carbon derived from waste peelings.

Utilizing rubber plant leaf petioles derived activated carbon for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

This research introduces a novel and sustainable method that exploits the untapped potential of waste biomass, specifically converting dead leaf petioles from Ficus elastica, an industrial crop commonly known as rubber plants, into high-performance activated carbon (AC) for supercapacitor electrodes through a straightforward pyrolysis process. The prepared AC is used as an electrode substance to construct symmetrical supercapacitors. It underwent detailed morphological and structural analyses through various analytical instruments to assess the AC's performance and quality. Electrochemical assessments using a two-electrode configuration with 1 M KOH as the electrolyte revealed that the AC electrodes display exemplary characteristics of electric double-layer capacitance. This conclusion was drawn from observing cyclic voltammetry curves that were rectangular and symmetrical across scan rates ranging from 10 to 100 mV/s. Remarkably, at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, these AC electrodes achieved a specific capacitance of 128 F/g. The superior performance of the AC, when compared to other biomass-derived electrode materials, can be attributed to its extensive surface area and significant porosity. Moreover, electrodes crafted from AC derived from rubber plants showed remarkable durability over 10000 charge-discharge cycles, maintaining 89 % of their original capacitance and achieving a Coulombic efficiency of up to 87 %. During prolonged discharge periods, these electrodes exhibited a high specific capacitance, which contributed to achieving a power density of 200 W/kg and an energy density of 11.4 Wh/kg. This study highlights the viability of rubber plant waste in advanced energy storage systems and significantly contributes to sustainable material science. By offering an eco-friendly approach for supercapacitor electrode fabrication, this research aligns with global efforts towards sustainable energy storage technologies, demonstrating the practicality of environmentally benign materials in high-performance applications.

High-performance battery type bismuth vanadate electrodes for supercapacitors

High-performance battery type bismuth vanadate electrodes for supercapacitors

Controlled preparation of carbon cloth decorated with nanostructured Mn(OH)2/Mn3O4 electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

Environmentally friendly aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors are expected to exhibit excellent energy storage properties, stable performance, and facile production protocols. This study focused on the fabrication and characterisation of an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with a commercial activated carbon (AC) negative electrode and Mn(OH)2/Mn3O4 composite on carbon cloth (hCC) positive electrode. The Mn-based electrode was synthesised using a one-step electrodeposition process. The morphology and crystalline structure of the composite electrode were modified by varying the deposition time of the Mn(OH)2/Mn3O4 nanostructures on carbon cloth substrate which greatly influence the electrochemical performance of the asymmetric systems. The best ASC used the AC electrode and a Mn(OH)2/Mn3O4@hCC electrode prepared using electrodeposition over an optimised time of 3 h. It exhibited a remarkable specific energy density of 40.7 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 100 W kg−1. In addition, this ASC demonstrated stable long-term performance, retaining 88 % of its capacitance after 5000 charge–discharge cycles, showing its great application potential in the field of supercapacitors.

Synthesis of ZnO and NiO nano ceramics composite high-performance supercapacitor and its catalytic capabilities

NiO and ZnO mixed nanocomposites were manufactured using the solution combustion process. As-prepared samples were analyzed using XRD. The XRD shows an average crystallite size of 35–40 nm. The elemental composition determined by EDS indicates a nearly equal proportion of Ni and Zn, with an atomic ratio of Ni/Zn = 0.96. The specific capacitances of NiO is 295.5 Fg-1, ZnO is 117.3 Fg-1 and ZnO/NiO nanocomposites is 561.75 Fg-1 which are more than NiO and ZnO alone. This study shows that constructing binary oxide nanocomposites is an approach for developing high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials. Experimental observations on catalytic activity revealed that NiO/ZnO increased catalytic activity. Furthermore, adding NiO to ZnO in the composite increased the overall amount of oxygen vacancies in the samples. Our research lays the door for a simple, inexpensive, nontoxic, and quick technique to synthesize binary transition metal oxide-based electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

Structural and Electrochemical Evolution of Water Hyacinth-Derived Activated Carbon with Gamma Pretreatment for Supercapacitor Applications.

This study introduces a gamma pretreatment of water hyacinth powder for activated carbon (AC) production with improved electrochemical properties for supercapacitor applications. The structural and morphological changes of post-irradiation were meticulously analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The pretreatment significantly modifies the pore structure and reduces the particle size of the resulting activated carbon (WHAC). Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms indicated a substantial increase in micropore volume with escalating doses of gamma irradiation. Electrochemically, the activated carbon produced from pretreated WH at 100 kGy exhibited a marked increase in specific capacitance, reaching 257.82 F g-1, a notable improvement over the 95.35 F g-1 of its untreated counterpart, while maintaining 99.40% capacitance after 7000 cycles. These findings suggest that gamma-pretreated biomasses are promising precursors for fabricating high-performance supercapacitor electrodes, offering a viable and environmentally friendly alternative for energy storage technology development.

Synthetic nanoarchitectonics with ultrafast Joule heating of graphene-based electrodes for high energy density supercapacitor application

This study presents a novel approach for the development of high-performance supercapacitor (SC) electrodes using the Flash Joule Heating (FJH) method. Here, we report a direct and rapid synthesis of graphene-based electrodes via FJH. The technique involves microwave-assisted decomposition of citric acid and urea to form CNDs as precursors, followed by Flash Joule Heating (FJH) leading to the formation of graphene in seconds. The scalability of this method paves the way for the rapid production of graphene-based SC electrodes. Based on the characterisation using XRD, Raman, SEM and TEM, the FJH-treated CNDs yielded graphene on carbon fibre cloth with well-defined morphologies leading to superior electrochemical performance in supercapacitors. The FJH processed electrodes exhibited exceptional electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 279 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, significantly outperforming unflashed and low current flash processed electrodes. This exceptional performance can be attributed to the formation of high-quality, few-layered graphene with enhanced electrical conductivity and efficient ion transport properties. Moreover, a Symmetric supercapacitor is also assembled which demonstrated a specific capacitance of 106.5 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹. It also exhibited an impressive energy density of 44.4 W h kg−1 at a power density of 1000 W kg⁻¹. This work demonstrates the feasibility of FJH as a rapid, scalable and cost-effective technique for the production of high-performance graphene-based electrodes for supercapacitor applications.

PANI-grafted boron, nitrogen co-doped carbon fiber: An outstanding, high-performance supercapacitor electrode

The rapid development of wearable electronic devices demands light-weight, flexible, high performance and eco-friendly supercapacitors. However, an efficacious design and fabrication of a steady structure for the same is still a challenge. Herein, a novel composite of polyaniline (PANI) grafted Boron, Nitrogen co-doped cotton derived carbon fiber (BNCF) has been synthesized via in-situ chemical polymerization. The detailed structural characterization confirms the successful incorporation of granular PANI over the BNCF surface. The supercapacitor performance of the as-synthesized BNCF-PANI electrode was investigated as electrode material for supercapacitor and the capacitance was achieved as high as 370 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. Moreover, BNCF-PANI based electrode exhibited the energy density of 12.8 Wh kg−1 at current density of 1 A g−1 and power density 2500 W kg−1 at current density of 10 A g−1.

Synergistic Interaction of Siloxene and Polyaniline Nanocomposite for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

Synergistic Interaction of Siloxene and Polyaniline Nanocomposite for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

Synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles by chemical and biological methods and their applications in high performance supercapacitor electrode, antibacterial and antifungal activity

The advancement of supercapacitor technology is impeded by a dearth of advanced electrode materials that can augment energy storage capabilities. In this-work, we propose a novel, sustainable methodology for synthesizing tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2-PJ NPs) utilizing Prosopis juliflora aqueous leaf extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the first time. These nanoparticles were evaluated in comparison to those synthesized via traditional chemical methods (SnO2-pure NPs). The samples were analyzed using an array of techniques including UV, FTIR, EDX, SEM, PL, XRD and XPS. The results indicated that the SnO2-PJ NPs exhibited superior performance as supercapacitor electrodes in both three-electrode and two-electrode system configurations. The symmetric supercapacitor device SnO2-PJ NPs displayed a high specific capacitance (98 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and energy density (31 Wh kg−1 at 0.35 kW kg−1) in an acidic electrolyte of 1 M H2SO4. Additionally, the SnO2-PJ NPs demonstrated exceptional cycling stability, maintaining 100% of their specific capacitance after 10,000 cycles. In conclusion, the SnO2-PJ NPs exhibit tremendous potential as a next-generation energy storage material, owing to their high-power density, high-energy density, and outstanding capacity. Additionally, antibacterial and antifungal activity of synthesized SnO2 NPs is studied. The bio-synthesized SnO2 PJ NPs possesses highest antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (17.0 ± 0.08 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (17.5 ± 0.74 mm) as well as one Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (15.0 ± 0.06 mm) at 200 μl. Furthermore, the bio-synthesized SnO2 PJ NPs possesses highest antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (10.0 ± 0.11 mm) and Aspergillus flavus (08.0 ± 0.12 mm) at 200 μl. The present work demonstrated an eco-friendly preparation of SnO2 NPs with high-performance supercapacitor electrode, good antibacterial and antifungal properties.

High-performance supercapacitor electrode materials from composite of bamboo tar pitch activated carbon and tannic acid carbon quantum dots

A novel composite electrode material comprising bamboo tar pitch-based activated carbon (BTPAC) and tannic acid-derived carbon quantum dots (TACDs) was prepared. The integration of TACDs into the composite BTPAC-60/TACD not only preserved the high conductivity characteristic of BTPAC but also enhanced its hydrophilicity, pore structure, and specific surface area. Electrochemical evaluations revealed that BTPAC-60/TACD delivers a specific capacitance of 677.7 F/g at 0.5 A/g in a three-electrode system, and 281.8 F/g at 1 A/g in a two-electrode setup. Impressively, it achieves an energy density of 56.4 Wh/kg at a power density of 600 W/kg and maintains 95.7 % of its capacitance after 10,000 cycles. This research not only capitalizes on the high-value application of bamboo tar pitch but also provides a new perspective for the development of high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.

Bi2O3@reduced graphene oxide and NiCo2@Ni3Co electrodes for all-electrodeposited high-performance supercapacitors

A novel α-Bi2O3@reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite negative electrode is designed using an electrodeposition technique, exhibiting an activation process during the first 100 charge-discharge cycles. The bismuth compounds in an initial adsorbed state gradually transformed into a dissolved state, resulting in a distinctive morphological change and the formation of a porous nanosheet structure. At a current density of 1 A/g, the α-Bi2O3@rGO achieves a specific capacitance of 1144 F/g (317 mAh/g), representing 92.18 % of its theoretical value. Even when the current density is increased by 20 times, the capacitance still maintains at 91.71 %. Additionally, a multi-layered composite cathode of NiCo2@Ni3Co is prepared. Based on these two electrodes, an all-electrodeposited soft-packaged supercapacitor (AESPS) is assembled, reaching an energy density of 107.8 Wh/kg at a power density of 800 W/kg, and 73.8 Wh/kg at 16 kW/kg. These outstanding electrochemical performances strongly demonstrate their potential in novel energy storage devices.

Bimetallic MOF derived Ni[sbnd]Mn phosphide for high-performance supercapacitor electrode material

Nickel‑manganese bimetallic phosphides are prepared by phosphidization of MOF-derived bimetallic hydroxides. The bimetallic phosphides exhibit crystalline Ni2P phase, show high specific surface area, and are composed of nanosheets. When supported on carbon cloth (CC) and used as the electrode material in 4 M KOH, the (Ni0.93Mn0.07)2P-18/CC shows a specific capacitance of 851.1C g−1 at 1 A g−1 and maintains 84.87 % capacity after 5000 cycles. The origin of the high specific capacity is investigated, and electron interaction between Mn and Ni sites, the high specific surface area, and the facile ion transport leads to the high specific capacity and stability. The constructed (Ni0.93Mn0.07)2P-18//AC asymmetric supercapacitor has an energy density of 59.83 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 750 W kg−1 and a capacity retention of 95.5 % after 5000 cycles.

Unravelling the electrochemistry of Ni-MOF derived nickel phosphide/carbon composite electrode and redox additive electrolyte for high performance supercapacitors

The performance and operation of an energy storage device are significantly influenced by the electrolyte and electrode materials. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an electrode material with a rational design and achieve compatibility with the electrolyte. In this study, we prepare Ni-MOF derived nickel phosphides/carbon (NP@C) nanostructure as an electrode for supercapacitor application. The as synthesized material provides more redox-active sites, better spatial utilization, improved conductivity, and a high-polarized surface that will speed up ion migration at electrode/electrolyte. Also, the usage of redox additive electrolyte (0.2 M K3[Fe (CN)6] in 1 M Na2SO4) further complements the redox active sites and hence the improved charge transport. Therefore, NP@C electrode achieved a remarkable 2136.3 F/g of capacitance at 3 A/g with 90.6 % of capacitance retention after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. In addition, the surface-diffusion studies confirms that NP@C shows high diffusion contribution of 82.6 % in redox electrolyte than that of 25.1 % in 1 M Na2SO4. Furthermore, NP@C//NP@C symmetric supercapacitor device in redox additive electrolyte also delivered remarkable performance rendering high energy density of 52.5 Wh/kg at a power density of 750 W/kg. In addition, NP@C//NP@C also shows the long-term stability with attenuating only 7.2 % of initial capacitance value after 10000 charge-discharge cycles. In addition to this, the device performs extremely well when tested for self-discharge studies. Hence, this study demonstrates the perfect harmony of NP@C electrodes and redox additive electrolyte to fabricate a high-performance supercapacitor.

Influence of electrodeposition-dealloying and silver nanoparticles on the electrochemical properties of nanoporous NiO films for supercapacitor

Nanoporous NiO films are prepared by electrochemical dealloying the Zn-Ni alloys electrodeposited on Ni substrates followed by self-oxidizing method. The electrodeposition-dealloying parameters are investigated. The optimal nanoporous NiO film exhibits a specific capacitance of 1212.0 F/g at 1 A/g. The capacitance retention rate can reach 71.9 % at 20 A/g. The improved electrochemical properties are attributed to the hierarchical porous structure, which can provide large specific surface areas with enough exposed active sites and enhance the mass transport. On the basis of this, nanoporous NiO films are decorated with Ag nanoparticles with an average size of 50.6 nm using photoreduction method. Owing to the good ohmic contact between Ag and NiO, the nanoporous NiO-Ag films possess an increased specific capacitance up to 3592.9 F/g three times higher than the nanoporous NiO film. The capacitance retention rate reaches 84.5 % at 20 A/g. An asymmetric supercapacitor NiO-Ag//AC exhibits an energy density of 116.88 Wh/kg at 1720 W/kg. An energy density of 85.41 Wh/kg is maintained at 36600 W/kg. These boosted electrochemical performances are mainly owing to the synergistic effects of unique hierarchical porous structure and high electronic conductivity. This study provides a new approach to high performance electrodes for supercapacitors.