Morphology-controlled synthesis of NiCo2O4 nanoflowers on stainless steel substrates as high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

NiCo2O4 nanostructures were synthesized via a chemical bath deposition method on stainless steel substrate by employing nickel chloride, cobalt chloride and urea as the starting reactants, at 343 K to 373 K for 5 h without the assistance of any additives. The influence of deposition temperature on the morphology (particle size and shape) of NiCo2O4 nanoflowers was examined. Also the shape‐dependent electrochemical properties of the nanoflowers electrodes were investigated. The mature nanoflowers structure and its improved electron conductivity is beneficial for supercapacitor application, the NiCo2O4 nanoflower thin films deposited at 363 K temperature onto stainless steel substrate exhibits 610 F/g at 1 mA/cm2, good rate capability with superior cycling performance up to 5000th cycles. Our findings demonstrate the importance of shape-controlled synthesis of NiCo2O4 nanoflowers on stainless steel substrate in development of high-performance energy-storage systems. Keywords: Mature nanoflower, Nickel cobalt oxide, Supercapacitor, Chemical bath deposition method