A multidimensional rational design of nickel-iron sulfide and carbon nanotubes on diatomite via synergistic modulation strategy for supercapacitors

Kailin Li; Zhufeng Hu; Renjun Zhao; Jinfei Zhou; Chuan Jing; Qing Sun; Jinsong Rao; Kexin Yao; Biqin Dong; Xiaoying Liu; Haiyan Li; Yuxin Zhang; Junyi Ji

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2021.06.131

A multidimensional rational design of nickel-iron sulfide and carbon nanotubes on diatomite via synergistic modulation strategy for supercapacitors

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2021 Dec:603:799-809. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.06.131. Epub 2021 Jun 27.

Authors

Kailin Li¹, Zhufeng Hu², Renjun Zhao², Jinfei Zhou³, Chuan Jing⁴, Qing Sun³, Jinsong Rao¹, Kexin Yao³, Biqin Dong⁵, Xiaoying Liu⁶, Haiyan Li⁷, Yuxin Zhang⁸, Junyi Ji⁹

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Transmissions, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
² School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China.
³ Multi-scale Porous Materials Center, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
⁴ College of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, PR China.
⁵ School of Civil Engineering, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Durability for Marine Civil Engineering, The Key Laboratory on Durability of Civil Engineering in Shenzhen, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
⁶ Chongqing Key Laboratory of Catalysis and New Environmental Materials, College of Environment and Resources, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China.
⁷ School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing, 163318, PR China.
⁸ State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Transmissions, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China. Electronic address: zhangyuxin@cqu.edu.cn.
⁹ School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China. Electronic address: junyiji@scu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34246089
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.06.131

Abstract

Based on their characteristics, transition metal layered double hydroxides have been of great scientific interest for their use in supercapacitors. Up until now, severe aggregation and low intrinsic conductivity have been the major hurdles for their application. In this work, nickel-iron sulfide nanosheets (NiFeSx) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized on diatomite using chemical vapor deposition and a two-step hydrothermal method to overcome these challenges. Synthesis of this composite successfully exploits the synergistic effect of multicomponent materials to improve the electrochemical performance. Diatomite is selected as a substrate to provide preferable surroundings for the uniform dispersion of nanomaterial on its surface, which enlarges the active sites that come in contact with the electrolytes, significantly improving the electrochemical properties. Combined with high conductivity and a synchronous sulfurization effect, the NiFeSx@CNTs@MnS@Diatomite electrode delivered a high specific capacitance of 552F g^-1 at a current density of 1 A g^-1, a good rate capability of 68.4% retention at 10 A g^-1, and superior cycling stability of 89.8% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at 5 A g^-1. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor assembled via NiFeSx@CNTs@MnS@Diatomite and graphene delivered a maximum energy density of 28.9 Wh kg^-1 and a maximum power density of 9375 W kg^-1 at a potential of 1.5 V. This research lays the groundwork for ideal material preparation as well as a rational design for the electrode material, including property enhancement of diatomite-based material for use in supercapacitors.

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Diatomite; Nickel iron sulfide; Sulfurization process; Supercapacitor.