Single-source precursor to Ag/NiO composite for rechargeable charge storage

Nickel compounds have been particularly explored for their excellent electrochemical properties. Attention is now placed on adding conductive materials to improve its electrochemical performance. Here, Ag/NiO composites are prepared from AgNiO2 nanoparticle precursors through one galvanostatic charge/discharge cycle. The obtained Ag and NiO are grown epitaxially, producing large contact area, increasing the stability of the structure and decreasing the resistance between them. When Ag/NiO composites are employed as electrode materials and performed in the electrochemical experiments, they deliver a high capacity of 1166 C g−1 at 2 A g−1, which is larger than that of the simple mixture of Ag and NiO. An excellent cyclic stability is also testified. Only 10% of the specific capacity lost is tested after 2000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles. Our study suggests that Ag/NiO composites with epitaxial-growth structure are an excellent candidate for high-performance hybrid asymmetric supercapacitors.