Published Paper Details:

A new composite electrode based on m-C/NiCo2O4 nanorod arrays (NRAs), which improves the pseudo capacitive properties by effectively amplifying the electrochemical performance for applications of supercapacitor. Carbon or graphene based nanorod thin films have been used in supercapacitors with gravimetric capacitances of (85-250 F/g), but areal specific capacitance of (5-60 mF/cm2) is low due to the thickness and low mass loading, which is undesirable for practical applications. The present study, shitake mushroom was used as the carbon precursor. The shiitake mushroom provides a higher surface area and higher energy storage value compared to other carbon materials. m-C/NiCo2O4 composite made of NiCo2O4 nanorod combined with carbon made from shitake mushroom using hydrothermal method, provides a higher specific capacitance when compared to other composite and carbon electrodes. The formation of m-C/NiCo2O4 composite nanorods attributes to the higher surface area for the ions which resulted in a high specific capacitance. Porous properties of natural carbon and NiCo2O4 metal oxides effectively amplified the capacitance behavior and enhances stability. The structures and electrochemical behavior of the samples are examined with Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photon spectroscopy, EDAX , cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge -discharge and impedance spectra respectively. Therefore, the specific capacitance, excellent cycling stability with extraordinary mechanical flexibility is been improved using m-C with a high surface area combined with NiCo2O4. m-C/NiCo2O4 coin cell showed higher stability and energy storage capacity (556 F/g at current density of 10 A/g). The cause for increase in capacitance and structural behavior and the effect of electrochemical performance are been investigated and discussed.