NiCoS nano-chains: a high-performing intercalating pseudocapacitive electrode in asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) mode for the development of large-scale energy storage devices.

Grid-scale energy storage solutions are necessary for using renewable energy sources efficiently. A supercapattery (supercapacitor + battery) has recently been introduced as a new variety of hybrid devices that engage both capacitive and faradaic charge storage processes. Nano-chain architectures of NiCoS electrode materials consisting of interconnected nano-spheres are rationally constructed by tailoring the surface structure. Nano-chains of the bimetallic sulfide NiCoS are presented to have a superior charge storage capacity. The NiCoS nano-chain electrode presents a capacitance of 2001.6 F g at 1 mV s, with a specific capacity of 267 mA h g (1920 F g) at 1 A g in 4 M KOH aqueous electrolyte through the galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) method. The reason behind the high charge storage capacity of the materials is the predominant redox-mediated diffusion-controlled pseudocapacitive mechanism coupled with surface capacitance (electrosorption), as the surface (outer) and intercalative (inner) charges stored by the NiCoS electrodes are close to 46.0% and 54.0%, respectively. Additionally, a NiCoS//AC two electrode full cell operating in asymmetric supercapacitor cell (ASCs) mode in 4 M KOH electrolyte exhibits an impressive energy density equivalent to 257 W h kg and a power density of 0.73 kW kg at a current rate of 1 A g.