Advanced NiCo2O4 /ZnO-CuO/NF composite for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor and efficient oxygen evolution reaction applications

• DOI: 10.1007/s42114-025-01238-9
• Publication Date: 2025-01-24T03:48:02Z
• Authors: Muhammad Ali Bhatti; Shusheel Kumar; Aneela Tahira; Adeel Liaquat Bhatti; Zaheer Ahmed Ujjan; Mansab Ali Jakhrani; Umair Aftab; Riyadh H. Alshammari; Ayman Nafady; Elmuez Dawi; Mélanie Emo; Brigitte Vigolo; Antonia Infantes-...; Zafar Hussain Ibu...

Abstract It is imperative that composite systems with high performance, low-cost, enhanced simplicity, and scalability be developed in order to convert and store energy. This, however, has been a challenging endeavor throughout the years. In this study, we present a cost-effective, efficient, scale-up-friendly, and environmentally friendly method of producing in situ sandwich layers of ZnO-CuO composite between NiCo2O4 nanostructures and nickel foam using lemon peel extract (LPE) during hydrothermal processes. NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam was analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). According to XRD and HRTEM studies of NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam, NiCo2O4, ZnO, and CuO exhibit cubic, hexagonal, and monoclinic phases, respectively. With NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam as the active anode electrode, an asymmetric supercapacitor has been developed in an alkaline solution of 3 M KOH. At a low current density of 2 Ag−1, the asymmetric supercapacitor exhibited a high specific capacitance of 3614.8 F g−1, a power density of 1549.2 W kg−1, and an energy density of 75.3 Wh kg−1. Upon repeatable 40,000 galvanic charge–discharge cycles, the asymmetric device demonstrated a high specific capacitance retention percentage of approximately 100 to 95 and a columbic efficiency of 98%. Moreover, NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam composite had a low overpotential of 210 mV at 40 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 70 mV dec−1 for OER in 1 M KOH. During continuous OER measurements over a period of 40 h, NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam composites demonstrated high durability and stability. NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam exhibits good electrochemical performance as a result of its synergetic effects, its high conductivity, its abundant exposed catalytic sites, its oxygen vacancies, and its high durability.

Graphical Abstract

The illustration for the synthesis of high-performance in situ NiCo2O4/ZnO-CuO/nickel foam composite for OER and supercapacitor application.