Multi-channeled hierarchical porous carbon incorporated Co 3 O 4 nanopillar arrays as 3D binder-free electrode for high performance supercapacitors

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.11.038
• Publication Date: 2015-12-18T11:47:11Z
• Authors: Yuanchuan Zheng; Zhaoqian Li; Juan Xu; Tilong Wang; Xun Liu; Xiaohui Duan; Yongjun Ma; Yong Zhou; Chonghua Pei
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

Abstract 3D hierarchical carbon-based nanostructures not only create hierarchical porous channels, but also possess high electrical conductivity and maintain excellent structural mechanical stability for high-performance supercapacitors. In this research, hierarchical porous N-doped carbon and Co 3 O 4 nanopillar arrays derived from Morpho butterfly wing scales have been explored. These structures have demonstrated enhanced capacitance, with a maximum specific capacity of 978.9 F g − 1 at 0.5 A g − 1 , and good cycling stability, retaining about 94.5% of their capacitance after 2000 cycles as well as improving supercapacitor energy density without sacrificing power density. The maximum energy density of the carbonized wing scale-cobalt oxide (CWs-Co 3 O 4 ) composite supercapacitors was found to be 99.11 Wh kg − 1 . This paper proposes a method for building 3D hierarchical N-doped carbon materials with various morphologies. It also presents a concept and method for designing a carbon-based 3D binder-free electrode with a hierarchical structure. This research provides a vast structural pool for developing novel electrochemical properties based on these materials.