Nickel–Cobalt hydroxide microspheres electrodepositioned on nickel cobaltite nanowires grown on Ni foam for high-performance pseudocapacitors

•Nickel–Cobalt hydroxide microspheres were electrodeposited on NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays.•The electrode of 10 min electrodeposition delivered a high areal capacitance of 6 F cm−2.•The synergic effect of conductive NiCo2O4 nanowires and porous hydroxides is important.

Nickel–Cobalt hydroxide microspheres are electrodepositioned on the films of NiCo2O4 nanowires grown on the current collector through a facile approach and the hierarchical structures are then investigated as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. Owing to the superior electrical conductivity of NiCo2O4 nanowires, the porous structure of the (Ni–Co)(OH)2 microspheres and the synergic effect of the multi-components, the electrode can deliver a high areal capacitance of 6 F cm−2 and a corresponding specific capacitance of 1132 F g−1 at a current density of 2 mA cm−2, as well as a good rate capability (61.8% capacitance retention from 2 mA cm−2 to 50 mA cm−2), and excellent cycling stability (90% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). The results suggest that our research opens up the possibility for the fabrication of high-performance energy-storage devices of binder-free electrodes.

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