Designed fabrication of three-dimensional delta-MnO2-cladded CuCo2O4 composites as an outstanding supercapacitor electrode material

Three-dimensional delta-MnO2-cladded CuCo2O4 composites are designed and grown in situ on Ni foam via a simple hydrothermal reaction and subsequent one-pot chelation-mediated aqueous processes. The electrode architecture can take good advantage of the synergistic effects contributed by both the porous CuCo2O4 nanoflake core and the delta-MnO2 shell layer. When delta-MnO2-cladded CuCo2O4 composites, along with porous Ni foam, are employed as a binder-free electrode for supercapacitors, the hybrid electrode shows higher specific capacitances and a better rate capability than the single CuCo2O4 nanoflake electrode. A maximum specific capacitance of 1180 F g(-1) is achieved at a current density of 1 A g(-1) and 81.7% of this value remains at a high current density of 10 A g(-1). Moreover, the delta-MnO2-cladded CuCo2O4 electrode also delivers an excellent cycling stability, maintaining 93.2% at 15 A g(-1) after 5000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the delta-MnO2-cladded CuCo2O4 electrode possesses a lower equivalent series resistance of 0.78 and a charge transfer resistance of 0.09 . In view of its cost-effective fabrication process and excellent energy storage properties, this unique integrated nanoarchitecture would hold great promise in the field of electrochemical energy storage.