Continuous nanobelts of nickel oxide–cobalt oxide hybrid with improved capacitive charge storage properties

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 122; pp. 376 - 384
• Main Authors: Harilal, Midhun, Krishnan, Syam G., Vijayan, Bincy Lathakumary, Venkatashamy Reddy, M., Adams, Stefan, Barron, Andrew R., Yusoff, Mashitah M., Jose, Rajan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2017
• Subjects: Electrochemical charge storage; Energy storage devices; Hybrid metal oxides; Nanocomposites; Renewable energy; Hybrid metal oxides; Energy storage devices; Nanocomposites; Renewable energy; Electrochemical charge storage
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.03.024

This paper reports the synthesis of continuous nanobelts, whose thickness is less than half of its pore diameter, of a material hybrid composing of nanograins of nickel oxide and cobalt oxide by electrospinning technique and their capacitive charge storage properties. While the constituent binary metal oxides (NiO and Co3O4) formed solid cylindrical nanofibers the hybrid and a stoichiometric compound in the Ni-Co-O system, i.e., spinel-type NiCo2O4, formed as thin nanobelts due to the magnetic interaction between nickel and cobalt ions. The nanobelts showed six-fold larger surface area, wider pores, and impressive charge storage capabilities compared to the cylindrical fibres. The hybrid nanobelts showed high specific capacitance (CS~1250Fg−1 at 10Ag−1 in 6M KOH) with high capacity retention, which is appreciably larger than found for the stoichiometric compound (~970Fg−1 at 10Ag−1). It is shown that the hybrid nanobelts have lower internal resistance (1.3Ω), higher diffusion coefficient (4.6×10−13cm2s−1) and smaller relaxation time (0.03s) than the benchmark materials studied here. [Display omitted] •Continuous nanobelts of a material hybrid (HNBs) are prepared.•Thickness of the HNBs is less than half of its pore diameter.•Electrochemical properties of the HNBs are benchmarked with three other materials.•HNBs showed superior charge storage properties.