Co2P decorated Co3O4 nanocomposites supported on carbon cloth with enhanced electrochemical performance for asymmetric supercapacitors

Co3O4 has attracted tremendous attention for the application in supercapacitors, but the design and fabrication of Co-based electrodes in novel construction are still a challenge. An effective strategy is successfully demonstrated to promote electrochemical performance by the combination of Co3O4 with highly conductive transition metal phosphides Co2P to form a composite electrode. The as-synthesized Co2P decorated Co3O4 nanocomposites (Co2P@Co3O4) exhibit an enhanced areal specific capacitance of 0.504 C cm(-2) at 2 mA cm(-2) and the capacitance is increased by 49.2% compared to that of the pure Co3O4 electrode. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor by the assembly of a Co2P@Co3O4 cathode and a porous carbon cloth (PCC) anode exhibits a maximum volumetric capacitance of 5 C cm(-3) and excellent cycling performance (only 6% capacitance loss after 8000 cycles) at a reversible working voltage of 1.6 V.

Automated summary

In this study, an effective strategy to enhance electrochemical performance by combining Co3O4 with highly conductive transition metal phosphides Co2P to form a composite electrode was demonstrated. The as-synthesized Co2P decorated Co3O4 nanocomposites showed improved areal specific capacitance and volumetric capacitance, as well as excellent cycling performance.