3D network-like mesoporous NiCo2O4 nanostructures as advanced electrode material for supercapacitors

•3D network-like mesoporous NiCo2O4 nanostructures were fabricated via a solvothermal route.•The obtained NiCo2O4 shows good electrochemical performances, especially rate capability.•Large BET surface area and abundant mesoporosity give excellent electrochemical performances.•This solvothermal method can be extended to prepare other binary or even ternary 3D metal oxides.

3D network-like mesoporous NiCo2O4 nanostructures have been successfully fabricated through a solvothermal route coupled with a post annealing treatment. Benefiting from its advantages of the unique 3D network-like structures with large specific surface area (170.6 m2 g−1), abundant mesoporosity (5–10 nm) and high electronic conductivity, the as-obtained NiCo2O4 manifests high specific capacitance of 931 F g−1 at 3 A g−1, remarkable capacity retention rate of 85.2 and 72.5% at 20 and 50 A g−1 compared with 2 A g−1 and superior cycling stability of 125.2% of initial capacity retention over 1000 cycles at 3 A g−1. The excellent electrochemical performances coupled with its facile and cost-effective way will render the 3D network-like mesoporous NiCo2O4 nanostructures as attractive electrode materials for promising application in supercapacitors.