Directly Sputtered Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoworms Decorated with Binder-less VN and W₂N Nanoarrays for Bendable...

Considering the superior capacitive performance and rich redox kinetics, the two-dimensional (2D) layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have emerged as the latest set of nanomaterials. Direct incorporation of key materials vanadium nitride (VN) and tungsten nitride (W₂N) into a MoS₂ array has been achieved on cost-effective, bendable stainless steel (SS) foil via a reactive cosputtering route. Herein, we have utilized the synergistic effect of intermixed nanohybrids to develop a flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (FASC) device from MoS₂-VN@SS (negative) and MoS₂-W₂N@SS (positive) electrodes. As-constructed FASC cell possesses a maximum operational potential of 1.80 V and an exceptional gravimetric capacitance of 200 F g^-1 at a sweep rate of 5 mV s^-1. The sustained capacitive performance mainly accounts for the synergism induced through unique interfacial surface architecture provided by MoS₂ nanoworms and TMN conductive hosts. The sulfur and nitrogen edges ensure the transport channels to Li⁺/SO₄^-2 ions for intercalation/deintercalation into the composite nanostructured thin film, further promoting the pseudocapacitive behavior. Consequently, the supercapacitor cell exhibits a distinctive specific energy of 87.91 Wh kg^-1 at 0.87 kW kg^-1 specific power and a reduced open circuit potential (OCP) decay rate (∼42% self-discharge after 60 min). Moreover, the assembled flexible device exhibits nearly unperturbed electrochemical response even at bending at 165° angle and illustrates a commendable cyclic life-span of 82% after 20,000 charge-discharge cycles, elucidating advanced mechanical robustness and capacitance retentivity. The powering of a multicolor light-emitting diode (LED) and electronic digital watch facilitates the practical evidence to open up possibilities in next-generation state-of-the-art wearable and miniaturized energy storage systems.