Hierarchically Porous Ni-Co Oxide for High Reversibility Asymmetric Full-Cell Supercapacitors

Hierarchically porous Ni-Co oxide powder is successfully synthesized by a facile chemical bath deposition method. The structure and composition of Ni-Co oxide are confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Scanning electron microscopy characterization indicates that the Ni-Co oxide has architecture of numerous microflowers with porous flakes. The pseudocapacitive behavior of the Ni-Co oxide powder is investigated by cyclic voltammgrams (CVs) and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests in alkali solution. The Ni-Co oxide shows a good reversibility with a high specific capacitance (834.93 Fg(-1) at 1 mVs(-1) scan rate). This active material was also used to manufacture a Ni-Co oxide//AC (Active Carbon) asymmetric supercapacitor. The Ni-Co oxide//AC asymmetric supercapacitor shows not only a high specific capacitance (60 Fg(-1) with 1 mVs(-1) scan rate), but also a high reversibility where its specific capacitance remains at 37 Fg(-1) at a high current density of 20 mAcm(-2). (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.074205jes] All rights reserved.