A long cycle life asymmetric supercapacitor based on advanced nickel-sulfide/titanium carbide (MXene) nanohybrid and MXene electrodes

To enhance rate and cycle performances of nickel sulfide, the two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti3C2, MXene) with good electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability is chosen as 2D supporting matrix for synthesizing nickel sulfide/delaminated Ti3C2 (Ni–S/d-Ti3C2) nanohybrids by a solvothermal method. The Ni–S/d-Ti3C2 nanohybrids show a coexistence of Ni3S2 and NiS with the characteristic peak of d-Ti3C2 nanosheets, and have electroactive species-on-sheet structures. The optimal Ni–S/1d-Ti3C2 nanohybrid delivers a high specific capacity of 840.4 C g−1 at 1 A g−1 with enhanced capacity retention of 64.3% at 30 A g−1 and an outstanding cycle performance, which are ascribed to an integration of d-Ti3C2 nanosheets that can act as electric channels to accelerate electrons transport at interface of the nanohybrid during charge-discharge processes. An increased Ni2+ content and BET surface area also contribute to redox reactions of Ni–S/1d-Ti3C2 nanohybrid electrode. An asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) fabricated by using the Ni–S/1d-Ti3C2 nanohybrid as positive electrode and d-Ti3C2 film as negative electrode exhibits an energy density of 20.0 Wh kg−1 at 0.5 kW kg−1 and a good cycling stability. Our work provides a favorable ingenuity for synthesizing advanced nickel sulfide-based nanohybrids and an alternative strategy of using 2D MXene as capacitive electrode for high-performance supercapacitors. [Display omitted] •Nickel-sulfide/delaminated-Ti3C2 has been synthesized by solvothermal method.•Nickel-sulfide/delaminated-Ti3C2 shows electroactive species-on-sheet structure.•Optimal nickel-sulfide/delaminated-Ti3C2 shows capacity of 840.4 C g−1 at 1 A g−1.•An asymmetric supercapacitor has energy density of 20.0 Wh kg−1 at 0.5 kW kg−1.•We provide a strategy of using MXene as capacitive electrode for supercapacitors.