Hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumns for asymmetric supercapacitors

Jingang Wu; Binbin Wei; Quanxing Guo; Haojun Zeng; Xutao Yan; Minjie Fang; Ye Zeng; Hanfeng Liang; Zhengbing Qi

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2024.10.124

Hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumns for asymmetric supercapacitors

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 Feb;679(Pt B):391-400. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.10.124. Epub 2024 Oct 23.

Authors

Jingang Wu¹, Binbin Wei¹, Quanxing Guo¹, Haojun Zeng¹, Xutao Yan¹, Minjie Fang¹, Ye Zeng², Hanfeng Liang³, Zhengbing Qi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Applications of Fujian Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361024, China.
² Key Laboratory of Energy Cleaning Utilization, Development, Cleaning Combustion and Energy Utilization Research Center of Fujian Province, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Marine Corrosion and Smart Protective Materials, College of Marine Equipment and Mechanical Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China. Electronic address: zengye@jmu.edu.cn.
³ State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory (IKKEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. Electronic address: hfliang@xmu.edu.cn.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Functional Materials and Applications of Fujian Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361024, China. Electronic address: zbqi@xmut.edu.cn.

PMID: 39461128
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.10.124

Abstract

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their high electrical conductivity and chemical stability. The rational design and facile synthesis of TMNs electrode materials with a unique nanostructure are the key to develop high-performance supercapacitors. Herein, we propose a two-step, binder-free, and eco-friendly approach utilizing magnetron sputtering at an oblique angle deposition configuration to fabricate hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumns for supercapacitors. This distinctive heterostructure not only creates lattice defects, increases active surface area, facilitates ion diffusion and charge transfer, but also optimizes the electronic structure and enhances the conductivity. As a result, the hierarchical Nb@NbN core-shell-like nanocolumn electrodes exhibit a high areal capacitance of 53.3 mF cm^-2 at 1 mA cm^-2 and an excellent capacitance retention of 93.5 % after 20,000 cycles, outperforming pristine NbN and the majority of previously reported TMNs electrodes. Moreover, the assembled Nb@NbN nanocolumns//VN thin films asymmetric supercapacitor device can deliver a maximum energy density of 49.8 mWh cm^-3 and power density of 82 W cm^-3. This work presents a facile and environmentally friendly strategy for the synthesis of TMNs core-shell-like nanocolumns, and further demonstrates their promising potential for use in supercapacitors.

Keywords: Asymmetric supercapacitor; Core-shell-like nanocolumns; Magnetron sputtering; Oblique angle deposition; Transition metal nitride.