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Binary metal niobium oxides can offer a higher specific capacity compared to niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5) and thus are ideal anode candidates for lithium ion capacitors (LICs). However, their lower electronic conductivity limits their ability to achieve high energy and power densities. In this paper, one-dimensional (1D) copper niobate (CuNb 2 O 6) nanowires are successfully prepared by electrospinning technology and then immobilized on two-dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets to form a unique 1D nanowire/2D nanosheet CuNb 2 O 6 /rGO structure. The 1D/2D CuNb 2 O 6 /rGO electrode exhibits a high specific capacity of 312.2 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 as the anode of LICs. The proposed Li+ storage mechanism of the CuNb 2 O 6 anode involves CuNb 2 O 6 decomposition into lithium niobate (Li 3 NbO 4) and copper (Cu) during the initial lithium insertion process. The intercalation-type Li 3 NbO 4 will further serve as the host to Li+ and the inactive Cu phase will act as a conductive network for electron transportation. Furthermore, the energy density of the assembled CuNb 2 O 6 /rGO//activated carbon (CuNb 2 O 6 /rGO//AC) device could achieve a value as high as 92.1 Wh kg−1 and could thus be considered as a possible alternative electrode material for high energy and power LICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Unique nanostructure, high electrical conductivity, satisfactory energy density, and extraordinary cycling stability are important evaluation criteria for high-efficient energy storage devices. Herein, Fe 3 O 4 nanospheres are successfully in situ decorated on graphene nanosheets through an environmentally benign and facile solvothermal procedure. When utilized as an electrode for supercapacitor, the graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite exhibits a notably enhanced specific capacity (268 F·g−1 at 2 mV·s−1) and remarkable cycling performance with 98.9% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, the fabricated graphene/MnO 2 //graphene/Fe 3 O 4 asymmetric supercapacitor device displays a desirable energy density (87.6 Wh·kg−1) and superior cycling stability (93.1% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Flexible supercapacitor plays a progressively more important part in power source for smart electronic devices and how to enhance its energy density is the urgent issue to be addressed. Hence, a hybrid electrode of Polypyrrole@reduced graphene oxide hydrogel (PPy@rGOH) is synthesized via a combine hydrothermal treatment of GO solution to assemble hydrogel and subsequently in-situ electropolymerization preparation of PPy on the surface of graphene. Through controlling the time of electropolymerization, the resultant PPy@rGOH-20 s with high specific surface area exhibits an excellent specific capacitance of 340 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and superior cycling stability of 87.4% capacitance retention after 10,000 charging/discharging cycles at 3 A g−1 in 1 M KNO 3. The assembled flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (FASC) by employing the PPy@rGOH-20s as positive electrode and pure rGOH as negative electrode presents a maximum operational voltage window of 1.6 V and high energy density of 46.9 W h kg−1, which is higher than polymer/carbon-based supercapacitors previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]