Mechanically stable ternary heterogeneous electrodes for energy storage and conversion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Solid asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are emerging as key portable power sources.
• Harvesting natural resources requires efficient and stable energy storage solutions.
• Developing mechanically robust electrodes is crucial for durable ASCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a hierarchical, mechanically stable FeCo@NiCo layered double hydroxide (LDH) heterostructure.
• To enhance the capacitive performance of solid ASCs for energy storage and conversion.
• To demonstrate the practical applicability of the developed ASCs.

Main Methods:

• Two-step electrodeposition for fabricating the FeCo@NiCo LDH heterostructure.
• In situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) nanoindentation to assess mechanical properties.
• Electrochemical tests to evaluate capacitive performance and cycling stability.

Main Results:

• The FeCo-LDH backbone demonstrated excellent mechanical robustness and conductivity.
• The assembled ASC exhibited high energy density (36.6 W h kg⁻¹) and power density (783 W kg⁻¹).
• The device maintained 87.3% capacitance after 5000 cycles and showed robust mechanical stability under bending.

Conclusions:

• The engineered FeCo@NiCo LDH heterostructure provides a reliable backbone for high-performance solid ASCs.
• The developed ASCs show promising potential for practical applications, powering devices and integrating with renewable energy sources.
• This work advances the development of durable and efficient portable energy storage solutions.