Facile preparation of 3D porous Ni(OH)2/AC-Ni as high performance binder free electrode for supercapacitors

Ni(OH)2/active carbon (AC) composites with 3D porous structure grown on Ni foam was fabricated via a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. The insight into the growth process of the Ni(OH)2/AC indicates that the AC particles are well embedded in the 3D porous structure constructed of Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. The electrochemical performance of the Ni(OH)2/AC-Ni as a binder free electrode for supercapacitors has been evaluated. It shows a high specific capacitance of 1.16 F/cm2 (1.8 times the capacitance of Ni(OH)2-Ni electrode) at a current density of 4 mA/cm2, as well as much higher capacitance retention than that of Ni(OH)2-Ni electrode over 1000 cycles. Such distinct improvement compared with the Ni(OH)2-Ni electrode can be attributed to the enhanced structure stability and electronic conductivity profiting from the AC particles embedded in the 3D porous structure of the Ni(OH)2 nanosheets. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.