Synthesis and capacitive properties of nano-layered MoSSe/Nitrogen-doped RGO/Nickel foam electrode for enhanced-performance battery-like supercapacitors with coin cell design

Background: Carbon allotropes-based nanocomposites with transition metal chalcogenides attract much interest in contriving unique electrodes for new generation energy storage devices. In this study, a simple hydrothermal method with binder-free was used to synthesize nano-layered molybdenum sulfide selenide (MoSSe) combined with nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) on nickel foam (Ni-foam), aiming to develop unique electrode for enhanced-performance supercapacitors with coin cell design. Methods: Comprehensive structural and morphological analyses were conducted to prove the formation of the nano-layered MoSSe/N-RGO nanocomposite on Ni-foam. The capacitive and electrochemical performances of the MoSSe/N-RGO@Ni-foam electrode for energy storage applications were then evaluated through galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Significant findings: The MoSSe/N-RGO@Ni-foam electrode demonstrated battery-like characteristics with a significantly enhanced specific capacitance of 1113 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s from CV curves. In addition, the MoSSe/N-RGO@Ni-foam electrode-based supercapacitor exhibited a well enough specific capacitance of 239.3 F/g at 1 A/g from GCD curves, good cyclic stability (62.9% retention after 5000 cycles), a maximum power density of 9600 W/kg, and a maximum energy density of 47.85 Wh/kg. The obtained results show the remarkable performance of the MoSSe/N-RGO@Ni-foam electrode as a new potential electroactive material for supercapacitors.