An efficient hybrid supercapacitor based on Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe core-shell architectures

To design a supercapacitor with fascinating properties, the development and fabrication of innovative electrode materials with interesting architectures are highly desirable. In this work, hierarchical Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe assembled from Zn-Mn-Ni-S nanowires and NiSe nanosheets has been grown on nickel foam via a consecutive hydrothermal reaction and electrodeposition route for supercapacitors. Owing to the tight contact between Zn-Mn-Ni-S and NiSe, Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe offers an efficient nanoporous network, appropriate channels, and desirable conductivity for the rapid transfer of electrons as well as ions for the reversible reaction. In a three-electrode configuration, the optimized Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe electrode shows higher capacity (358 mA h g(-1)), rate performance (71.8% up to 24 A g(-1)), and cyclability (90.1% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles) than the optimized Zn-Mn-Ni-S electrode (287 mA h g(-1) at 2 A g(-1) and 64.8% up to 24 A g(-1)). Besides, a promising hybrid supercapacitor device using optimized Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe and activated carbon demonstrates a desirable energy density (ED) of 59.6 W h/kg at 805.4 W kg(-1) and considerable cyclability of 86.6% after 10 000 cycles. Thus, this research proposes a favorable route for developing new electrodes for energy storage systems.

Automated summary

In this study, hierarchical Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe electrodes were fabricated on nickel foam, offering an efficient nanoporous network and desirable conductivity for supercapacitors. The optimized Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe electrode showed higher capacity, rate performance, and cyclability compared to the Zn-Mn-Ni-S electrode. Furthermore, a hybrid supercapacitor device using the optimized Zn-Mn-Ni-S@NiSe electrode and activated carbon demonstrated a desirable energy density and considerable cyclability.