Self-stacked multilayer FeOCl supported on a cellulose-derived carbon aerogel: a new and high-performance anode material for supercapacitors

Abstract

To build high-energy density asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs), current studies are always directed towards cathode materials; however, anode materials are paid much less attention. Here we for the first time demonstrate that orthorhombic FeOCl with a self-stacked laminated structure is suitable to be a high-performance anode material for supercapacitors since its unique laminated structure can provide abundant active sites for migration and intercalation reactions of electrolyte ions. By introducing a highly conductive and porous cellulose-derived carbon aerogel (CDCA) matrix, the mechanical stability and charge-storage kinetics of FeOCl are significantly enhanced. FeOCl@CDCA delivers an ultra-high areal specific capacitance of 1618 mF cm⁻² (647 F g⁻¹) at 2 mA cm⁻² and outstanding cycle stability with no more than 10% capacitance loss after 10 000 cycles in 1 M Na₂SO₄ between −1 and 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. An ASC operating at 0–1.8 V was fabricated using a FeOCl@CDCA anode and a cheap MnO₂ cathode. The ASC displays a highly competitive energy/power density (289 μW h cm⁻² at 1.8 mW cm⁻²) and excellent rate capability and cycle stability. These findings may open a new pathway to design high-energy density energy-storage systems using FeOCl-based anodes.