Ultrasonically dispersed multi-composite strategy of NiCo2S4/Halloysite nanotubes/carbon: An efficient solid-state hybrid supercapacitor and hydrogen evolution reaction material

• Published in: Ceramics international 2022-09, Vol.48 (17), p.25020-25033
• Main Authors: Shinde, Surendra K., Dubal, Deepak P., Yadav, Hemraj M., Jagadale, Ajay D., Maile, Nagesh, Karade, Swapnil S., Lee, Dae-Sung, Kim, Dae-Young
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Halloysites; Hybrid supercapacitors; Hydrogen evolution reaction; NiCo2S4; Solid-state hybrid device; Ultrasonication treatment
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.05.156

Herein, we have developed a novel hybrid material based on NiCo2S4 (NCS), halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), and carbon as promising electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs). Firstly, mesoporous NCS nanoflakes were prepared by co-precipitation method followed by physically mixing with HNTs and carbon, and screen printed on nickel foam. After ultrasonication, a uniform distribution of the Carbon/HNTs complex was observed, which was confirmed by surface morphological analysis. When used as electrode material, the NCS/HNTs/C hybrid displayed a maximum specific capacity of 544 mAh g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1. Later, a solid-state hybrid SCs was fabricated using activated carbon (AC) as the negative and NCS/HNTs/C as the positive electrode (NCS/HNTs/C//AC). The device delivers a high energy density of 42.66 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 8.36 kW kg−1. In addition, the device demonstrates long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, the optimized NCS, NCS/HNTs, and NCS/HNTs/C nanocomposites also presented superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of 201, 169, and 116 mV in the acidic bath at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Thus, the synthesis of NCS/HNTs/C nanocomposite as positive electrodes for hybrid SCs opens new opportunities for the development of next-generation high energy density SCs. [Display omitted] •Synthesis of novel hierarchical NiCo2S4 nanoflakes using a simple co-precipitation method with high electrochemical performance.•Preparation of final NiCo2S4/HNTs/C composite electrode by screen-printing method on Ni foam.•Improved the supercapacitor capacitive properties than the NiCo2S4/HNTs/C then the NiCo2S4 and NiCo2S4/HNTs composite.•A novel NiCo2S4/HNTs/C//AC constructed solid-state hybrid device.•SSHSc shows a high energy density of 42.66 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 8.36 kW kg−1.