Mesoporous composite nickel cobalt oxide/graphene oxide synthesized via a template-assistant co-precipitation route as electrode material for supercapacitors

• A simpler chemical route was utilized to prepare composite NiCo2O4/GO.
• The abundant mesopores and channels are boosted by the substantial function of SDS.
• NiCo2O4/GO delivers good specific capacitance and cycling stability.
• NiCo2O4/GO//rGO demonstrates remarkable energy density and power density.

A simple co-precipitation method utilizing SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) as template and ammonia as precipitant is successfully employed to synthesize nickel cobalt oxide/graphene oxide (NiCo2O4/GO) composite. The as-prepared composite (NCG-10) exhibits a high capacitance of 1211.25 F g−1, 687 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1, 10 A g−1 and good cycling ability which renders NCG-10 as promising electrode material for supercapacitors. An asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) (full button cell) has been constructed with NCG-10 as positive electrode and lab-made reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as negative electrode. The fabricated NCG-10//rGO with an extended stable operational voltage of 1.6 V can deliver a high specific capacitance of 144.45 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The as-prepared NCG-10//rGO demonstrates remarkable energy density (51.36 W h kg−1 at 1 A g−1), high power density (50 kW kg−1 at 20 A g−1). The retention of capacitance is 88.6% at the current density of 8 A g−1 after 2000 cycles. The enhanced capacitive performance can be attributed to the improved specific surface area and 3D open area of NCG-10 generated by the pores and channels with the substantial function of SDS.

The asymmetric supercapacitor in a full cell setup constructed with the as-prepared composite NCG-10 as the positive electrode and lab-made rGO as negative electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in energy density, power density and cycling stability due to the improved porous structure and enhanced specific surface area via a simple co-precipitation method with the assistance of surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide