Interface engineered hydrangea-like ZnCo₂O₄/NiCoGa-layered double hydroxide@polypyrrole core-shell heterostructure...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Advanced battery-type electrodes are crucial for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.
• Hierarchical core-shell heterostructures offer enhanced energy density and cycling stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a novel hydrangea-like ZnCo2O4/NiCoGa-layered double hydroxide@polypyrrole (ZCO/NCG-LDH@PPy) core-shell heterostructure.
• To investigate its potential as an electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ZCO/NCG-LDH@PPy core-shell heterostructures.
• Characterization using various analytical techniques.
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand electronic properties.
• Electrochemical performance testing of electrodes and hybrid supercapacitors.

Main Results:

• The ZCO/NCG-LDH@PPy electrode achieved a specific capacity of 381.4 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 with 89.83% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles at 20 A g-1.
• The ZCO/NCG-LDH@PPy//AC hybrid supercapacitor demonstrated an energy density of 81.9 Wh kg-1 and a power density of 17,003.7 W kg-1.
• Excellent cycling performance with 88.41% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The ZCO/NCG-LDH@PPy core-shell heterostructure is a promising electrode material for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.
• The synergistic effects and abundant heterointerfaces contribute to superior electrochemical properties.
• The material shows potential for practical applications, as evidenced by powering an LED.