Mesoporous ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes grown on nickel foam as electrodes for high performance supercapacitors

Abstract

ZnCo₂O₄ nanoflakes, as electrodes for supercapacitors, are grown on a cellular nickel foam using a cost-effective hydrothermal procedure. The mesoporous ZnCo₂O₄ nanoflakes have large electroactive surface areas with strong adhesion to the Ni foam, allowing fast ion and electron transport. The nanoarchitecture electrodes deliver an excellent specific capacitance of 1220 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹ in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution and a long-term cyclic stability of 94.2% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The fabrication strategy is facile, cost-effective, and can offer great promise for large-scale supercapacitor applications.