A novel chemical preparation of Ni(OH)2/CuO nanocomposite thin films for supercapacitive applications

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 2236 - 2242
• Main Authors: Iwueke, D. C., Amaechi, C. I., Nwanya, A. C., Ekwealor, A. B. C., Asogwa, P. U., Osuji, R. U., Maaza, M., Ezema, F. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Materials Science; Optical and Electronic Materials; Cupric Oxide; Specific Capacitance; Nanocomposite Film; Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy; Cyclic Voltammetry
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-015-2674-3

In this study, β-phase nickel hydroxide with a hexagonal brucite structure has been meshed with successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction deposited cupric oxide. The nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The electrochemical performances of the nanocomposite Ni(OH) 2 /CuO supercapacitor were tested by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in 1 M KOH solution. With the potential window between 0 and 0.5 V, a maximum specific capacitance ~27 F/g was observed at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Moreover, Ni(OH) 2 /CuO electrode in the symmetric device shows a low energy (1.0 Wh/kg) and power (242 W/kg) density.