Herein, an electrochemical sensor is reported for the first time based on an ordered macro–microporous composite derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the highly sensitive detection of auramine O (AO), a Group 2B carcinogen. The hierarchical pore architecture, integrating an ordered macroporous network with a microporous ZIF-8 framework, enables the uniform dispersion of a high density of catalytically active sites. The interconnected macroporous channels facilitate efficient mass transport and rapid removal of reaction byproducts, effectively preventing pore blockage and ensuring stable sensing performance during repeated measurements. Owing to these structural advantages, the proposed sensor exhibits outstanding analytical performance toward AO detection, with a sensitivity of 0.4843 μA μM−1, a detection limit of 0.168 μM (S/N = 3), and a wide linear range from 0.5 to 50 μM. Moreover, the sensor demonstrates excellent selectivity and reproducibility, maintaining reliable responses even in the presence of 100-fold excess common food constituents such as tartrazine and glucose. Real sample analysis further confirms its high accuracy and operational stability. Overall, the electrochemical sensor based on silver nanoparticle-decorated ordered macro–microporous ZIF-8 synthesized via in situ reduction shows great potential as a portable and on-site tool for rapid AO detection in food. More broadly, ordered macro–microporous MOF-derived materials represent a promising platform for advanced electrochemical sensor applications.
As a supercapacitor electrode material, metal sulfides are a popular choice among researchers. However, research on neodymium sulfide remains limited. Its key advantage lies in the highly efficient reversible redox reactions of Nd3+ ions, which provide high energy density without compromising power density or cycle life. In contrast, most other rare earth sulfides, lacking similar electrochemical activity, serve only as conductive additives or inert supports. In this study, a 1-step hydrothermal approach was utilized to prepare Zn,N co-doped Nd2S3 electrode materials on a copper foam substrate to obtain Zn,N-Nd2S3/CF electrode. Nitrogen doping provides the primary driving force for sulfur vacancy formation through charge imbalance, while zinc doping facilitates and stabilizes this process by modulating the local lattice environment and electronic structure. The combined effect of Zn-N co-doping leads to a much higher concentration of sulfur vacancies than the sum of the vacancies created by individual Zn or N doping. Therefore, the Zn,N-Nd2S3/CF electrode exhibited exceptional capacitive performance and stability, benefiting from the abundant sulfur vacancies and three-dimensional reticular copper foam with high electrical conductivity present in its structure. Additionally, the influence of S-vacancy formation on the efficiency of the electrode material based on the energy storage mechanism was investigated by employing density functional theory (DFT). The synthetic Zn,N-Nd2S3/CF electrode exhibited promising potential for the fabrication of a high-performance aqueous supercapacitor.
The effects of indium (In) doping on the crystal structure, magnetic properties, and ferroelectric behavior of YCrO3 nanoparticles were systematically investigated. A series of Y1-xInxCrO3(x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 1.00) samples were synthesized via a sol-gel method, with In3+ partially substituting Y3+. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement confirmed the successful incorporation of In3+ into the YCrO3 lattice, resulting in a reduction of lattice parameters a and c, and enhanced structural distortion. Magnetic measurements revealed that the antiferromagnetic transition temperature (Neel temperature, TN) decreased progressively with increasing In3+ content, reaching 135, 130, and 129 K for Y0.95In0.05CrO3, Y0.9In0.1CrO3, and Y0.8In0.2CrO3, respectively. This behavior is attributed to the disruption of Cr3+-O2--Cr3+ superexchange interactions caused by lattice distortion. The samples exhibit weak ferromagnetic characteristics at 5 K and 100 K, while remaining paramagnetic at room temperature (300 K). Furthermore, room-temperature polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops of the Y1-xInxCrO3 samples demonstrate higher coercive fields, lower polarization, and unsaturated shapes, indicating their weak ferroelectricity and significant leakage current. At a calcination temperature of 1000 degrees C, the sample exhibited optimal crystallinity and stable low-frequency ferroelectric response, confirming this as the optimal preparation condition for the system. In summary, indium doping effectively modulates the crystal structure of YCrO3 and induces the coexistence of weak ferromagnetic and ferroelectric behaviors.
Composite transition metal sulfide composites exhibit superior performance compared with single-component materials. In this study, a N-doped neodymium sulfide@manganese sulfide (Nd2S3@MnS) heterostructure was synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal process on nickel foam (NF). The electrochemical storage ability of MnS was significantly improved by forming a heterojunction through precise regulation of the Nd2S3 concentration. The N-doped Nd2S3@MnS/NF heterostructured electrode exhibited an outstanding specific capacitance of 1298.7 F g-1 (equivalent to 779.2 C g-1) at a current density of 16 A g-1, along with excellent cycling stability, maintaining 102.0% of its capacity after 30,000 cycles. Such remarkable electrochemical performance originates from the cooperative effects at the Nd2S3/MnS interface and the enhanced sulfur vacancy concentration introduced by nitrogen doping, which accelerates ion transport and enriches redox-active sites, thereby improving the charge storage properties compared with pristine MnS. Based on the synthesis of heterostructured N-doped Nd2S3@MnS/NF electrodes, aqueous supercapacitors were fabricated and systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that combining heterointerface engineering with vacancy control provided an effective strategy for next-generation supercapacitors while offering new insights into structure-property relationships in chalcogenide-based electrodes.
Ion doping represents a key strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides. In this study, Zn and N co-doped MnS nanostructures were synthesized directly on nickel foam via an in-situ hydrothermal method. By systematically varying the Zn2+ doping concentration, we achieved precise control over the microstructure, as reflected by distinct morphological evolution. The synergistic co-doping introduces abundant sulfur vacancies and modulates the local electronic environment, collectively increasing the number of active sites and facilitating hydroxide ion transport. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses confirm that such modulation of the electronic structure substantially enhances the electrochemical energy storage performance. This work not only offers a sustainable synthetic route but also provides fundamental insights into the rational design of materials for advanced energy storage applications.
To enable the large-scale implementation of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes, obtaining highly active and economical electrocatalysts remains a crucial requirement. In this work, ultrafine Ni-Ru alloy nanoclusters and atomically dispersed Ru-N4 and Ni-N4 sites were successfully anchored on nitrogen-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (NHMCS) via a microwave-assisted solvothermal method within 15 min, yielding Ni-Ru bimetallic catalysts (Ni x Ru y /NHMCS). In 1.0 M KOH, the NiRu4/NHMCS-900 catalyst delivered outstanding HER performance, characterized by a record-low overpotential of 9.3 mV at 10 mA cm-2. This value is notably lower than that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrated remarkable stability over 100,000 cycles and sustained performance during 120 h of continuous operation. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), in situ Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations collectively demonstrate that the outstanding HER activity is governed by the synergy of Ni-Ru bimetallic sites and the reverse hydrogen spillover effect (HSE) between the NHMCS and metal clusters. Specifically, nitrogen sites in NHMCS initially adsorb H2O molecules, which then dissociate into N-H intermediates. The resulting adsorbed hydrogen atoms (H ad ) migrate to adjacent Ru sites, forming Ru-H intermediates that subsequently evolve into H2 gas. Simultaneously, Ni sites interact with hydroxyl groups to form Ni-OH species, modulating the electronic structure and stabilizing key intermediates. Additionally, the porous NHMCS architecture and strong metal-support interactions (MSI) prevent the aggregation of Ni-Ru clusters, further enhancing structural integrity. This study offers new insights into designing high-performance HER catalysts by harnessing reverse hydrogen spillover and bimetallic synergy.
In this study, a series of copper and nitrogen co-doped molybdenum sulfide (Cu/N co-doped Mo2S3) composites supported on nickel foam (NF) substrates were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and evaluated as electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. By systematically varying the Cu-ion doping concentration, the optimized electrode demonstrated an impressive capacitance of 1271.3 F g(-1) (762.8C g(-1)) at a current density of 7 A g(-1). Furthermore, it exhibited outstanding cyclic stability, retaining 98.3% of its initial capacitance after 10,000 consecutive charge-discharge cycles. This performance enhancement is attributed to the synergistic effects of Cu and N doping, which not only modify the material's crystal microstructure, leading to improved electrolyte accessibility, but also promote the formation of sulfur vacancies that facilitate faster electron transport. To assess its practical electrochemical performance, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was constructed using the optimized Cu/N co-doped Mo2S3/NF composite as the positive electrode and N-doped Cu7S4/CF as the negative electrode. The resulting ASC demonstrated superior energy storage capability, achieving an energy density of 75.4 Wh kg(-1) at a power output of 900 W kg(-1), while maintaining excellent cycling stability with 97.5% capacity retention after 50,000 cycles. These findings highlight the potential of Cu/N co-doping as an effective strategy to enhance electrode material performance in the design of high-performance supercapacitors.
Developing broad-pH hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for green hydrogen production. Herein, Pt-MoS2 heterostructure catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (NHMCS) were synthesized via a two-step microwave-assisted solvothermal strategy. The catalyst exhibits outstanding HER activity in acidic, alkaline, and neutral electrolytes, especially in neutral conditions. Pt-MoS2/NHMCS-15 mg delivers a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at an ultralow overpotential of only 5.5 mV in 1.0 m PBS. Negligible performance degradation occurs after 100,000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles and 120 h chronoamperometric operation, showing outstanding stability. X-ray absorption fine structures (XAFS), in situ Raman spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculation, elucidate the origin of the enhanced HER activity in neutral media. Strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) at the Pt-MoS2 interface significantly lower the dissociation energy barrier of the P & horbar;OH bond in H2PO4 -, thereby facilitating proton release. Simultaneously, neutral conditions yield higher hydrogen coverage on Pt sites than acidic or alkaline media. These findings provide fundamental insights into the intrinsic mechanism governing the broad-pH HER performance of Pt-MoS2/NHMCS-15 mg, particularly in neutral electrolytes, and offer valuable theoretical and experimental guidance for the rational design of efficient and cost-effective HER catalysts, advancing the practical implementation of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution technologies.
When the organic macromolecular components of biomass undergo carbonization, the resulting carbon chains are influenced by heteroatoms and thus become difficult to graphitize. Nevertheless, at the microscopic scale, the carbon framework can still retain a certain degree of short-range order. Regulating the intrinsic components of biomass has therefore become an effective strategy for obtaining high-performance biomass-derived hard carbon. Among these components, cellulose is particularly attractive due to its high content, well-defined structure, and abundance of functional groups, giving it substantial potential for structural modification. In this study, the crystallinity of cellulose was enhanced by disrupting the original hydrogen-bond network of biomass and leveraging the changes in hydroxyl groups by alkaline treatment. This approach facilitated the formation of pseudo-graphite microcrystals favorable for sodium-ion shuttling as well as closed nanopores capable of accommodating sodium clusters when carbonized 1000 degrees C. Electrochemical measurements showed that the resulting, biomass-derived hard carbon delivered reversible specific capacity of 320 mAh g-1 at a current density of 50 mA g-1, including 177 mAh g-1 contributed by the low-voltage plateau. Even at a high current density of 1 A g-1, the material maintained a capacity of 250 mAh g-1. Overall, this work elucidates how the structural characteristics of cellulose influence the graphitization behavior of biomass-derived carbon chain, providing valuable insights for enhancing the sodium-storage performance of biomass-based hard carbon.
Ion doping emerged as a remarkable strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of transition metal sulfides. In this work, two ion-doped electroactive materials-Co,N co-doped ZnS (Co,N-ZnS) and Cu,N co-doped ZnS (Cu,N-ZnS)-were synthesized via in-situ hydrothermal growth on nickel foam (NF) substrates. Embedding Co,N and Cu,N dopant species within the ZnS matrix produces a vacancy-rich structure that alters the surrounding electronic configuration and significantly enhances the transport of hydroxide ions. The electrochemical performance of the vacancy-rich Co,N-ZnS/NF and Cu,N-ZnS/NF electrodes was systematically evaluated and compared. The 2-Co,N-ZnS/NF electrode outperformed with a specific capacitance of 1554.0 F g- 1 at 9 A g- 1, in comparison to 1299.0 F g- 1 observed for 2-Cu,N-ZnS/NF. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) simulations demonstrated that dual incorporation of Co, N or Cu, N dopants substantially increase sulfur vacancy concentration and promote pronounced local charge redistribution. To investigate the effects of modifications on device behavior, asymmetric aqueous supercapacitors based on Co,N-ZnS/NF and Cu,N-ZnS/NF electrodes were constructed and evaluated. A comparison was also conducted between the two devices doped with two different ions. The studies on the electrochemical performance of electrode materials doped with two different ions and their corresponding devices have revealed that doping with cobalt ions exhibits superiority over copper ions in electrochemical energy storage.
In order to attain high catalytic activity and long-term stability in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), it is essential to design catalysts with hollow structures that integrate both the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). Based on the above issues, we developed a novel templating method and, for the first time, synthesized double-shelled hollow nanospheres of ZIF-67. Utilizing the inherent hollow structure and chemical activity of ZIF-67, and through Cu-Mo co-doping, we prepared a CuCo2S4/MoS2 OER catalyst with dual mechanisms. The Jahn-Teller effect of copper activates lattice oxygen, facilitating LOM in OER. The cooperative interaction between copper and molybdenum atoms induces surface reconstruction in the catalyst, accelerates the deprotonation step in LOM, and aids in the formation of *OOH in AEM, thus reducing energy barriers and optimizing the adsorption of reaction intermediates. The addition of molybdenum further boosts catalytic performance by enhancing both mechanisms, owing to the spatial disparity between Cu and Mo atoms. Due to the compatibility of the dual mechanisms, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance in alkaline media (320 mV at 100 mA cm-2) and maintains a stable catalytic current in a commercial water-splitting device (500 mA cm-2 for 300 h). This study presents an innovative strategy for designing oxygen evolution reaction catalysts that integrate both AEM and LOM mechanisms. Considering the widespread applications of ZIF-67 in electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage, CuCo-G@ZIF-67 not only serves as a versatile precursor for the synthesis of various catalysts but also paves the way for the development of novel transition metal catalysts and multi-shell energy storage materials. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) quantum sheets (QSs) with intrinsic characteristics promise new research topics and applications. However, their absolute photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is far from being satisfactory. Herein, we report a general PL enhancement strategy based on passivation with polar solvent. The edge-passivated TMD QSs demonstrate solid-state fluorescence with high PLQYs. The material diversity of the passivation strategy is testified by using tungsten disulfide (WS2), molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), and tungsten diselenide (WSe2) as examples. Particularly, the passivated WS2 QSs (P-WS2 QSs) in poly(methyl methacrylate) exhibit an exceedingly high PLQY of 27.7% compared with that (4.1%) of the intrinsic WS2 QSs. Furthermore, the P-WS2 QSs are utilized in commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs), enabling white-light emission which can be filtered into a sharp, blue emission, thus they function as highly luminescent blue LEDs. Note that the intrinsic WS2 QSs are almost inert to commercial LEDs, which in turn indicates the unique contribution of the P-WS2 QSs. Our work highlights the great potential of passivated TMD QSs in applications such as LEDs.
The synthesis and preparation of supercapacitor cathode materials is one of the important ways to achieve the increase of the energy density of supercapacitors. CoMoO4 is a commonly used cathode material, but its own conductivity is poor, however, carbon can make up for this shortcoming of poor conductivity. In this paper, soluble starch with high solubility and uniform dispersion was used as the carbon source, and CoMoO4/carbon flower-like nanocomposites (CCMO) containing surface flocculants were successfully synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal reaction and applied as the cathode for supercapacitors, which showed excellent electrochemical properties. In order to determine the electrochemical properties of the prepared CCMO, it was tested in a three-electrode system. The test results demonstrate that the CCMO-3 electrode prepared under the condition of a quality ratio of CoMoO4 to soluble starch of 1:1 demonstrated the best electrochemical performance, with a specific capacitance of 415F g(-1). After 15000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g(-1), its specific capacitance remained at 87.5% of the initial reversible capacity. The supercapacitor device (CCMO//AC ASC) prepared with CCMO-3 and activated carbon, as both positive and negative electrodes, has an energy density of 12.44 Wh kg(-1) under a power density of 799.71 W kg(-1). At a current density of 5 A g(-1), it maintains 75% of its initial capacity after 10000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of CCMO-3 shows its application potential in energy storage devices.
This study investigated the dynamic properties of red mud (RM)-reinforced volcanic ash (VA) by dynamic triaxial tests. The effects of stress state (dynamic stress σd, confining stress σ3), dynamic frequency (f) and load waveform (F) on the accumulative plastic strain (εp) have been investigated. The findings indicate a significant influence of the stress state on εp. When σd reaches 120 kPa, the specimens exhibit insufficient strength, leading to shear failure. As σ3 increases, the dynamic stresses that lead to specimen destabilization also exhibit an upward trend. The effect of f on εp is limited. The εp does not exhibit a clear or consistent developing pattern with increasing f. As for the F, the εp exhibited by the specimens subjected to sinusoidal wave loads is less than that observed under trapezoidal wave loads. Shakedown theory classifies deformation responses into plastic shakedown, plastic creep and incremental collapse. The εp curve patterns of RM-reinforced VA exhibit plastic shakedown and incremental collapse without significant plastic creep characteristics under cyclic loading. A predictive model for εp under cyclic loading is established, which has good predictability. This study presents a novel application of VA and RM, offering substantial research insights into waste recycling.
Trace sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic systems drive antimicrobial resistance, threatening ecosystems and public health. Constructing bimetallic phosphide heterojunction with rapid ionic cycling capability is an effective way to achieve efficient and stable activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for rapid sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation. Herein, we have designed metal organic frameworks (MOFs) derived Fe-Ni bimetallic phosphide with tightly coupled FeP/NiP2 heterogeneous interface to activate PMS for the degradation of SMX. The optimal material efficiently activates PMS, achieving 97.5 % SMX removal within 15 min. Moreover, it exhibits excellent stability and catalytic activity over a broad pH range (3-11), in high-anion-concentration environments and various water matrices, with no significant reduction in SMX degradation efficiency after 8 cycles. Both experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrate that incorporating an optimal Ni concentration confers two significant advantages: it not only regulates PMS adsorption and enhances charge transfer for more efficient PMS activation but also facilitates the valence cycling of the active Fe site, thereby promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species. This study provides new insights into the rational design and mechanistic understanding of transition metal phosphides in environmental catalysis.
Silver nanowire (AgNW)-based electrodes are susceptible to unstable behavior under external light illumination, humidity, or heat treatment due to their material and structural limitations. To clarify the correlations between the stability of AgNW-based electrodes and their intrinsic factors, AgNW electrodes with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) substrates and AgNW electrodes with PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) substrates were prepared using vacuum filtration and substrate transfer methods. The effects of the intrinsic parameters of AgNW electrodes, including the bonding strength between AgNWs and flexible substrates, AgNW surface densities, and AgNW network connections on the stability of AgNW-based electrodes were investigated. It was found that the stability of AgNW-based electrodes is strongly dependent on the encapsulation of flexible substrates, the surface density of AgNWs, and the curing strength of AgNW network junctions. PVA-AgNW electrodes have much higher stability than PET-AgNWs because PVA substrates can encapsulate AgNWs and protect AgNWs from external damage. Modifying the surface of AgNW electrodes with graphene oxide (GO) can also significantly improve the thermal and light stability of AgNW electrodes because the covering of GO can strengthen the underlying AgNW connecting junctions.
Developing a synthetic strategy for stabilizing single-atom catalysts is crucial for improving atom utilization and achieving the ultimate catalytic efficiency. Herein, a thermal shock strategy was utilized to fabricate thermally stable Pd-based single-atom catalysts with excellent catalytic activity. Results revealed that the calcination method governed the formation of oxygen vacancies, resulting in vast differences in the dispersity, stability and reactivity of Pd species. The thermal shock method (PdCe-TS) facilitated the generation of oxygen vacancies to activate and stabilize Pd via strong metal-support interaction. By contrast, the conventional calcination method (with a slow heating rate, PdCe-NC) suppressed the formation of oxygen vacancies, driving the formation of Pd clusters from Pd atoms. The coexistence of atomically dispersed Pd2+ and sufficient oxygen vacancies dramatically facilitates the activation of O2 and CO via abundant electronic transmission at the interface, and the facile removal of CO2 further accelerates the overall reaction. Consequently, compared with the PdCe-NC catalysts, the PdCe-TS catalysts exhibited lower apparent activation energy and a higher CO oxidation reaction rate, demonstrating enhanced catalytic performance and durability.
The limited ion transport and low active site utilization in traditional carbon-based anode materials remain major challenges that restrict the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To address this issue, a hollow nanostructured anode material derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) was developed, featuring enhanced porosity and heteroatom doping. Hollow ZIF-67 nanospheres were synthesized via a selfsacrificial template strategy and subsequently converted into nitrogen-doped carbon-coated cobalt hollow carbon spheres (N/C@Co HCSs) through high-temperature pyrolysis. This design reduces internal inactive volume, increases the density of accessible active sites, and improves both ion/electron transport. Benefiting from these features, N/C@Co-700 delivers a high reversible capacity of 918 mA h g-1 after 600 cycles at 1 A g-1. In the rate performance test, it retains 597.2 mA h g- 1 at 1 A g -1 and recovers to 829.7 mA h g- 1 when the current returns to 0.1 A g- 1, indicating excellent structural stability and electrochemical reversibility. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and distribution of relaxation time analyses further confirm a high lithium-ion diffusion coefficient ranging from 10 to 9.5 to 10-12.03 cm2 s- 1. Compared with conventional MOF-derived carbons, this system offers superior ion kinetics and cycling stability. Overall, this study not only highlights the potential of ZIF-67-derived hollow nanostructures in advanced LIB anodes, but also provides a versatile structural framework for future applications in energy storage, catalysis, and beyond.
Effectively alleviating the volume change of silicon oxide (SiOx) anodes and improving their conductivity are crucial for enhancing the structural integrity and cycling stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, ZIF-67 hollow nanospheres (ZIF-67 HNSs) were synthesized for the first time and used as templates to achieve a hollow structure, nanostructuring, and in situ nitrogen doping in SiOx anodes, resulting in the successful preparation of N/SiOx@N/SiOx@C double-shell layer hollow nanospheres. The material features a robust nitrogen-doped SiOx double-shell structure, which, combined with oxygen content regulation, effectively alleviates the volume expansion of high-capacity SiOx anodes. Additionally, in situ nitrogen doping into the SiOx matrix further optimizes the electronic conductivity and ion diffusivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation time analyses indicate that the anode exhibits excellent charge transfer kinetics and a stable solid electrolyte interfacial layer, which remains stable even after prolonged cycling. In situ Raman spectroscopy further confirms that the double-shell structure effectively preserves the integrity of the electrode. The anode achieves a high specific capacity of 893.1 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1 and demonstrates excellent rate capability (447.4 mAh g-1 at 3 A g-1). This study presents a novel approach for designing SiOx anodes with in situ nitrogen doping and spatially engineered double-shell structures, offering new insights into the design of high-performance LIB anodes with enhanced cycling stability and capacity retention.
NiMoO4 (NMO) and NiMoO4 center dot xH2O/carbon composites with rod-like structures were prepared by a simple, fast, and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted method and the effects of different carbon sources on their electrochemical properties were investigated. Glucose and potato starch were used as carbon sources, respectively, and the prepared materials, named NMOG and NMOS, were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Their electrochemical behaviors were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and constant-current chargedischarge (GCD) techniques. The NiMoO4 center dot xH2O/carbon composites exhibited higher specific capacitance than NiMoO4 due to its low crystallinity and good electrical conductivity of carbon. The specific capacitances were measured at 318.5, 420.5, and 485.3 F g- 1 respectively at a current density of 1 A g- 1. In addition, asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) were constructed using prepared NMOS-2 as the positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as the negative electrode. The energy density was 21.62 Wh kg- 1 at a power density of 800 W kg- 1. The NMOS-2//AC ASC device showed good cycling stability with 85 % capacity retention after 10,000 cycles. This indicates that NMOS-2 is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.