A two-step approach to synthesis of Co(OH)₂/γ-NiOOH/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for high performance supercapacitors

Abstract

A two-step approach was reported to fabricate cobaltous hydroxide/γ-nickel oxide hydroxide/reduced graphene oxide (Co(OH)₂/γ-NiOOH/RGO) nanocomposites on nickel foam by combining the reduction of graphene oxide with the help of reflux condensation and the subsequent hydrothermal of Co(OH)₂ on RGO. The microstructural, surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the Co(OH)₂/γ-NiOOH/RGO nanocomposite were investigated. The results showed that the surface of the first-step fabricated γ-NiOOH/RGO nanocomposites was uniformly coated by Co(OH)₂ nanoflakes with lateral size of tens of nm and thickness of several nm. Co(OH)₂/γ-NiOOH/RGO nanocomposite demonstrated a high specific capacitance (745 mF/cm² at 0.5 mA/cm²) and a cycling stability of 69.8% after 1000 cycles at 30 mV/cm². γ-NiOOH/RGO//Co(OH)₂/γ-NiOOH/RGO asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled, and maximum gravimetric energy density of 57.3 W∙h/kg and power density of 66.1 kW/kg were achieved. The synergistic effect between the highly conductive graphene and the nanoflake Co(OH)₂ structure was responsible for the high electrochemical performance of the hybrid electrode. It is expected that this research could offer a simple method to prepare graphene-based electrode materials.

Keywords

reflux condensation / graphene / cobaltous hydroxide / supercapacitor

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