Hexagonal phase NiS octahedrons co-modified by 0D-, 1D-, and 2D carbon materials for high-performance supercapacitor

It's crucial to improve the electronic conductivity, active sites and structural stability of transition-metal sulfides for better performance. Herein, hexagonal-phase NiS octahedrons were obtained through phase transition and co-modified by multidimensional carbon, i.e. 0D carbon QDs, 1D CNTs, and 2D reduced graphene oxide (NiS@C QDs-CNTs-rGO). It delivers a significantly enhanced specific capacity of 241 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and capacity of 149 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1, superior to its counterparts with other phases NiS2@CNTs-rGO (154 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, 52 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1) and Ni7S6@CNTs-rGO (167 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1, 124 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1). Furthermore, asymmetric supercapacitors (ASC) assembled by NiS@C QDs-CNTs-rGO and graphene hydrogel achieve a remarkable cycling stability (capacity retention of 82% after 5000 cycles). XPS results confirm that strong CS bonds exist between carbon matrix and NiS NPs, which stabilizes structural stability and thus leading to excellent long-term cycling stability. The excellent electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the improved conductivity and structural stability, the co-modified 0D, 1D, and 2D carbon structures, and strong CS bonds between active material and carbon matrix. Hexagonal NiS octahedrons are co-modified by 0D carbon QDs, 1D CNTs, and 2D graphene to fabricate 3D structure through heat-reduction phase-transition method. It shows much enhanced specific capacity, rate capability and long-term cycling stability. It might be ascribed to the multidimensional carbon providing better electronic conductivity, more active sites, and strong SC bonds between NiS NPs and carbon matrix. [Display omitted] •NiS octahedrons were obtained through heat treatment, co-modified by 0D carbon QDs, 1D CNTs, and 2D reduced graphene oxide.•The specific capacity of 149 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 was obtained when NiS@C QDs-CNTs-rGO acted as the electrode.•ASC devices were assembled by NiS@C QDs-CNTs-rGO and graphene hydrogel achieve a capacity retention of 82% after 5000 cycles.•Multidimensional carbon can provide better electronic conductivity and more active sites.