CC@BCN@PANI core-shell nanoarrays as ultra-high cycle stability cathode for Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors

Abstract

Exploring cathode materials that combine excellent cycling stability and high energy density poses a challenge to aqueous Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs). Herein, polyaniline (PANI) coated boron-carbon-nitrogen (BCN) nanoarray on carbon cloth surface is prepared as advanced cathode materials via simple high-temperature calcination and electrochemical deposition methods. Because of the excellent specific capacity and conductivity of PANI, the CC@BCN@PANI core-shell nanoarrays cathode shows an excellent ion storage capability. Moreover, the 3D nanoarray structure can provide enough space for the volume expansion and contraction of PANI in the charging/discharging cycles, which effectively avoids the collapse of the microstructure and greatly improves the electrochemical stability of PANI. Therefore, the CC@BCN@PANI-based ZHSCs exhibit superior electrochemical performances showing a specific capacity of 145.8 mAh/g, a high energy density of 116.78 Wh/kg, an excellent power density of 12 kW/kg, and a capacity retention rate of 86.2% after 8000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 2 A/g. In addition, the flexible ZHSCs (FZHSCs) also show a capacity retention rate of 87.7% at the current density of 2 A/g after 450 cycles.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

CC@BCN@PANI cathode / Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitor / core-shell nanoarrays / high energy density / ultra-high cycle stability

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (Grant Nos. 20224BAB214006, 20224BAB214029, and 20212ACB203004), the Planning Project of Jiangxi Provincial Technological Innovation Guidance (Grant No. 20202BDH80003), and the Youth Foundation of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education (Grant Nos. GJJ210857 and GJJ210856).

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0882-8 and is accessible for authorized users.

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