LAUSR

Abstract In this work, a hierarchical Ni3S2@MoS2 hybrid structure was synthesized by an effective strategy with a combined hydrothermal route and subsequent annealing treatment. When tested as supercapacitor electrodes, the Ni3S2@MoS2 composites exhibited high specific capacitance of 1418.5 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, which also showed a good capacitance retention of 75.8% at 5 A g−1 after 1250 cycles. The Ni3S2@MoS2 composites demonstrated 1.9 fold higher specific capacitance compared to the amorphous shell counterpart (NixSy@MoS2). Furthermore, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (Ni3S2@MoS2//rGO) also demonstrated a capacitance of 61 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, with energy and power densities of 21.7 Wh kg−1 at 400 W kg−1 and 12 Wh kg−1 at 2400 W kg−1 under an operating window of 1.6 V. The asymmetric supercapacitor also showed a favorable cycle stability with 72% capacity retention over 4000 cycles at 10 A g−1. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergetic effect of the large accessible surface area and optimal contacts between the MoS2 and the electrolyte, as well as high capacitance of the metallic Ni3S2 core.