Efficient Supercapacitors Based on Co9S8/Graphene Composites for Electric Vehicles

摘要

Nowadays, supercapacitor is recognized as a key element of hybrid energy storage system in modern energy supply chain for electric vehicles. Co_9S_8 as a promising electrode material attracts much attention for supercapacitor owing to its superior electrochemical capacity. However, its poor stability and electronic conductivity, which results in inferior cycling performance and rate capability has seriously limited the practical application of Co_9O_8 in supercapacitors. In this paper, Co_9S_8 nanoparticles were embedded in reduced graphene oxide via a simple anneal approach as high efficient and stable electrodes for SCs. The Co_9S_8/rGO composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Co_9S_8 nanoparticles were inserted tightly between the rGO layers due to strong inter-molecular forces, preventing the cluster in reduction process of rGO from graphene oxide. The rGO provides the conductive network for Co9S8 and shortens the ion diffusion paths, improving rate performance and enhancing the stability of the electrode material. The as-prepared Co_9S_8/rGO takes full advantages of high capacitance performance of Co_9S_8 nanoparticles and excellent conductivity and electrochemical stability of rGO. Thus Co_9S_8/rGO composites exhibit high specific capacity of 708.3 F g~(-1) at current density of 1A g~(-1). In addition, the asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor (Co_9S_8/rGO//rGO) delivered an excellent energy density of 41.1 Wh kg~(-1) and a high-power density of 750.3 W kg~(-1). The Co_9S_8/rGO composites introduced here represent a high efficient ideal electrode that can be easily applied in automotive field with excellent performance.