High-performance symmetric supercapacitor based on flower-like zinc molybdate

Flower-like zinc molybdate (ZnMoO4) has been prepared by using a facile hydrothermal method. The ZnMoO4 nanoflowers are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscope techniques. The as-prepared material is evaluated as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors by cyclic voltammogram, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In 2.0 M KOH electrolyte, the ZnMoO4 nanoflowers display a high specific capacitance of 704.8 F g(-1) (three-electrode system). Moreover, the ZnMoO4 nanoflowers can reach up to 568.3 F g(-1) at 5.0 A g(-1), and approximately 93.6% of the capacitance is retained after 10000 cycles at 8.0 A g(-1). A symmetric supercapacitor is fabricated based on ZnMoO4 nanoflowers and activated carbon, and a specific capacitance of 63.13 F g(-1) is obtained at 1.0 A g(-1) with a high energy density of 22.45 Wh kg(-1) at power density of 800.06 kW kg(-1). The good electrochemical performance of ZnMoO4 nanoflower not only is due to its unique nanostructures with large specific surface area, but also its excellent conductivity, which facilitates efficient charge transport and promotes electrolyte diffusion. These results indicate that the ZnMoO4 nanoflower may be a promising electrode material for energy storage applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.