Surfactant free gram scale synthesis of mesoporous Ni(OH)2–r-GO nanocomposite for high rate pseudocapacitor application

Abstract

We report a single-step surfactant-free gram scale hydrothermal synthesis of mesoporous Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles and the Ni(OH)₂–reduced graphene oxide (Ni(OH)₂–r-GO) nanocomposite. Interesting morphological features are noted. These nanomaterials are examined and compared as cathode materials for pseudo-capacitor application through detailed characterizations. A high specific capacitance (C_s) of 1538 F g⁻¹ is observed for Ni(OH)₂–r-GO even at a high current density of 40 A g⁻¹, whereas at the same current rate, bare Ni(OH)₂ shows C_s of only 936 F g⁻¹.