Extra Storage Capacity Enabled by Structural Defects in Pseudocapacitive NbN Monocrystals for High-Energy Hybrid Supercapacitors

Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors (LHSCs) are intensely studied due to their favorable power densities. However, combined higher energy density materials, particularly anodes, are desirably sought. Herein, a defect-dominating structure protocol is reported. Specifically, two visible structural defects, i.e., crystal vacancy and lattice distortion have been introduced in situ in ultrafine niobium nitride (NbN) monocrystals that are integrated into a carbon (C) framework. Highly reversible Li-ion storage capacities up to 540 mAh g(-1) are demonstrated in such a NbN@C composite anode, together with excellent rate capability and cycling stability. An extra vacancy-induced capacity contribution of the defective NbN component is evidenced by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations in contrast to perfect modeling. Coupling with an activated carbon (AC) cathode, the NbN@C//AC cell can deliver balanced energy and power densities of 53.8 Wh kg(-1) and 7818 W kg(-1) at 4 A g(-1), and retain a desired energy density of 56.1 Wh kg(-1) after 10 000 cycles at 1 A g(-1). Findings from this study, particularly the demonstrated defects-induced extra capacity of pseudocapacitive materials, may inspire new structural material designs of LHSCs.

Automated summary

Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors with high power densities are intensively studied, and this study introduces a defect-dominating structure protocol to improve the energy density of the anode material. By introducing crystal vacancies and lattice distortions in the ultrafine niobium nitride monocrystals integrated into a carbon framework, a NbN@C composite anode is created with high reversible Li-ion storage capacities, excellent rate capability, and cycling stability. First-principles density functional theory simulations confirm the extra capacity contribution of the defective NbN component. The findings from this study can inspire new structural material designs of LHSCs.