Nanostructuring of nickel hydroxide via a template solution approach for efficient electrochemical devices

Nanostructuring is a key approach in enhancing the performance of electrochemical devices. In this work, nanostructuring is achieved by the electrodeposition of nickel hydroxide nanowire arrays, with both open-ended and close-ended structures, through anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) templates that are directly fabricated on indium tin oxide/glass substrates. The open-ended and close-ended nanostructures are compared together with identically fabricated thin films to show the effects of nanostructuring. Open-ended nanowire arrays demonstrated the best electrochemical activity with superior transmittance modulation and faster activation, while the thin film showed the worst performance. In comparing with the close-ended structures, enhanced performance is observed for the open-ended structures despite the use of less material for the latter. This demonstrates that in designing nanostructures or porous materials, it is important for the porosity to have both interconnectivity and exposure to the electrolyte in electrochemical reactions.