Enhanced the energy density of supercapacitors via rose-like nanoporous ZnGa2S4 hollow spheres cathode and yolk-shell FeP hollow spheres anode.

Owing to the high demands for fascinating energy storage devices, exploring cost-effective electrodes with exclusive architectures for supercapacitors is crucial; however, the advent of such electrodes to achieve the industrial necessities remains a challenging task. Herein the design and characterization of roselike nanoporous ZnGa2S4 hollow spheres (RN-ZGSHS) are described. This structure with the surface area of 71.7 m2 g−1 can provide a capacity of 358.4 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 and capacity of 260.2 mAh g−1 at 50 A g−1, as well as significant robustness of 98.4%. To achieve higher energy density in the asymmetric energy storage device, a yolk-shell nanoporous iron phosphide hollow spheres (YS–FePHS) as a negative electrode is also designed. The designed anode electrode with a quasi-rectangular-like character can deliver a capacity of 117.5 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and maintains a high capacity of 65.8 mAh g−1 at 25 A g−1, with satisfactory robustness of 89.9%. Ultimately, the constructed asymmetric device (RN-ZGSHS//YS-FePHS) depicts the ED of 72.78 W h kg−1 at a power density (PD) of 800 W kg−1, while keeps a high energy density of 49.13 W h kg−1 at a power density of 64148.53 W kg−1. Image 1 • Rose-like nanoporous ZnGa 2 S 4 hollow spheres are synthesized as cathode electrode. • Yolk-shell nanoporous iron phosphide hollow spheres are prepared as anode electrode. • Cathode and anode electrodes exhibit high electrochemical performance. • An asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled based on cathode and anode electrodes. • The asymmetric supercapacitor illustrates excellent energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]