Ni(OH)₂ Nanoflakes Supported on 3D Ni₃Se₂ Nanowire Array as Highly Efficient Electrodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitor and Ni/MH Battery

Abstract

Abstract Porous Ni(OH) 2 nanoflakes are directly grown on the surface of nickel foam supported Ni 3 Se 2 nanowire arrays using an in situ growth procedure to form 3D Ni 3 Se 2 @Ni(OH) 2 hybrid material. Owing to good conductivity of Ni 3 Se 2 , high specific capacitance of Ni(OH) 2 and its unique architecture, the obtained Ni 3 Se 2 @Ni(OH) 2 exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1689 µAh cm −2 (281.5 mAh g −1 ) at a discharge current of 3 mA cm −2 and a superior rate capability. Both the high energy density of 59.47 Wh kg −1 at a power density of 100.54 W kg −1 and remarkable cycling stability with only a 16.4% capacity loss after 10 000 cycles are demonstrated in an asymmetric supercapacitor cell comprising Ni 3 Se 2 @Ni(OH) 2 as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode. Furthermore, the cell achieved a high energy density of 50.9 Wh L −1 at a power density of 83.62 W L −1 in combination with an extraordinary coulombic efficiency of 97% and an energy efficiency of 88.36% at 5 mA cm −2 when activated carbon is replaced by metal hydride from a commercial NiMH battery. Excellent electrochemical performance indicates that Ni 3 Se 2 @Ni(OH) 2 composite can become a promising electrode material for energy storage applications.