Magneto-electrodeposition technique offers new solution for supercapacitors

(Nanowerk News) A newly published study in Small Methods ("Magneto-Electrodeposition of 3D Cross-Linked NiCo-LDH for Flexible High-Performance Supercapacitors") provides a new idea for improving the electrochemical properties of layered materials.
The research team, led by Prof. ZHU Xuebin from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, prepared layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with abundant active sites and promising loading mass on carbon cloth, for the first time, via magneto-electrodeposition (MED) technique.
Aside from that, the scientists constructed a flexible hybrid supercapacitor with high energy density and excellent cycle stability. To prove the performance, electronic watch and LED lights were successfully driven in their experiments.
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(a) Micro-magnetohydrodynaic effect (upper) and nucleation process under parallel MF (bottom); (b) magnetohydrodynaic effect (upper) and nucleation process under vertical MF (bottom). (Image: LI Hui)
LDHs prepared on carbon cloth are regarded as ideal cathodes for portable electronic hybrid supercapacitors. Electrodeposition is a simple, time-saving and economical technique suitable for large-scale production. However, insufficient loading quality and random restacking problems greatly affect the areal capacity.
In this study, a magnetoelectric deposition device was developed and nickel-cobalt (NiCo)-LDH was prepared on carbon cloth by MED technology. Due to the magnetohydrodynamic effect produced by electromagnetic field coupling, the load mass is greatly increased and the three-dimensional cross-linked network pattern was constructed, resulting in significant areal capacity
"This new technique, by adjusting the microstructure of NiCo-LDH, can greatly speed up mass transfer during electrodeposition," said LI Hui, a member of the team, "compared with traditional methods, electrodeposition is time-saving, economical, convenient and suitable for large-scale production."
This study provides a new way for preparing high-performance LDHs supercapacitor electrodes.
Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences
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