Hierarchical Ni–Co layered double hydroxide nanosheets entrapped on conductive textile fibers: a cost-effective and flexible electrode for high-performance pseudocapacitors

Abstract

Hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) porous nanonetworks of nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide (Ni–Co LDH) nanosheets (NSs) are grown and decorated on flexible conductive textile substrate (CTs) via a simple two-electrode system based electrochemical deposition (ED) method. By applying a proper external cathodic voltage of −1.2 V for 15 min, the Ni–Co LDH NSs are densely deposited over the entire surface of the CTs with good adhesion. The flexible Ni–Co LDH NSs on CTs (Ni–Co LDH NSs/CTs) architecture with high porosity facilitates enhanced electrochemical performance in 1 M KOH electrolyte solution. The effect of growth concentration and external cathodic voltage on the electrochemical properties of Ni–Co LDH NSs/CTs is also investigated. The Ni₁₀Co₅ LDH NSs/CTs electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 2105 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹ as well as an excellent cyclic stability as a pseudocapacitive electrode due to the advantageous properties of 3D interconnected porous frameworks of Ni₁₀Co₅ LDH NSs/CTs. This facile fabrication of bimetallic hydroxide nanostructures on CTs can provide a promising electrode for low-cost energy storage device applications.