Three-Dimensional Porous Network Electrodes with Cu(OH)₂ Nanosheet/Ni₃S₂ Nanowire 2D/1D Heterostructures for...

Developing advanced electrode materials with highly improved charge and mass transfer is critical to obtain high specific capacities and long-term cycle life for energy storage. Herein, three-dimensionally (3D) porous network electrodes with Cu(OH)₂ nanosheets/Ni₃S₂ nanowire 2D/1D heterostructures are rationally fabricated. Different from traditional surface deposition, the 1D/2D heterostructure network is obtained by in situ hydrothermal chemical etching of the surface layer of nickel foam (NF) ligaments. The Cu(OH)₂/Ni₃S₂@NF electrode delivers a high specific capacity (1855 F g^-1 at 2 mA cm^-2) together with a remarkable stability. The capacity retention of the electrode is over 110% after 35,000 charge/discharge cycles at 20 mA cm^-2. The improved performance is attributed to the enhanced electron transfer between 1D Ni₃S₂ and 2D Cu(OH)₂, highly accessible sites of 3D network for electrolyte ions, and strong mechanical bonding and good electrical connection between Cu(OH)₂/Ni₃S₂ active materials and the conductive NF. Especially, the unique 1D/2D heterostructure alleviates structural pulverization during the ion insertion/desertion process. A symmetric device applying the Cu(OH)₂/Ni₃S₂@NF electrode exhibits a remarkable cycling stability with the capacitance retention maintaining over 98% after 30,000 cycles at 50 mA cm^-2. Therefore, the outstanding performance promises the architectural 1D/2D heterostructure to offer potential applications in future electrochemical energy storage.