CuCo2O4 Nanorods Coated with CuO Nanoneedles for Supercapacitor Applications

Herein, we report the chemical synthesis of a core-shell nanoarchitecture comprising CuCo2O4@CuO (ccop CuO) on a flexible stainless steel mesh substrate (FSSM) with CuCo2O4 (core) and CuO (shell) by a simple, cost-efficient, additive-free hydrothermal deposition method, followed by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method for fabricating a flexible electrode for an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC). The nanocomposite of CCO@CuO revealed a high surface area of 98.33 m(2 )g(-1) and the electrode delivered a high specific capacitance of 713 F g(-1) at a high current density of 11 mA cm(-2), which was noted to be higher than those of the individual constituent CuO (436 F g(-1)) and CuCo2O4 (443 F g(-1)) metal oxide electrodes. The CCO@CuO electrode demonstrated remarkable cycling stability (similar to 90% capacitance retention after 5000 charge-discharge cycles at 15 mA cm(-2)). The ASC device CCO@CuO//rGO (reduced graphene oxide) delivered a maximum energy density of 37.43 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 250 W kg(-1). The device revealed 83% capacitance retention after 4000 cycles. These results indicate that the CCO@CuO/FSSM electrode is a promising functional material for energy storage devices.

Automated summary

The study reported successful chemical synthesis of a CuCo2O4@CuO core-shell nanoarchitecture and fabrication of a flexible electrode for supercapacitors. The electrode demonstrated high surface area, specific capacitance, and remarkable cycling stability, making it a promising functional material for energy storage devices.