In situ formation of Ni(OH)2 nanoparticle on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheet for high-performance supercapacitor electrode material

A nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/Ni(OH)2 (N-rGO/Ni(OH)2) composite is prepared by in situ formation of Ni(OH)2 nanoparticle on the surface of N-rGO nanosheet under easy one-step hydrothermal condition. With the improved electrochemical activity upon nitrogen doping and positive synergetic effect between N-rGO and Ni(OH)2, the obtained composite exhibits high capacitance, excellent rate capability, good cycle life, etc. •Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/Ni(OH)2 (N-rGO/Ni(OH)2) composite is prepared.•The Ni(OH)2 nanoparticle is in situ formed on the surface of N-rGO nanosheet.•The easy one-step hydrothermal method is applied for the preparation of composite.•Nitrogen doping can improve the electrochemical activity of composite.•The N-rGO/Ni(OH)2 composite exhibits superior electrochemical performance. A new hybrid material consisting of nickel hydroxide and nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO/Ni(OH)2) for supercapacitor electrode material is prepared via an easy one-step hydrothermal method, where the reduction and nitrogen doping of graphene oxide (GO) and the in situ formation of Ni(OH)2 are achieved simultaneously. The results show the improved electrochemical activity of N-rGO/Ni(OH)2 upon nitrogen doping. Moreover, thanks to the positive synergetic effect between N-rGO and Ni(OH)2, the synthesized N-rGO/Ni(OH)2 composite shows superior electrochemical performance, including high capacitance, excellent rate capability and good cycle life. Hence, the facile preparation approach in this work will be considered as a new way to obtain metal oxide or hydroxide/N-rGO material which can be used as advanced electrode material in high-performance supercapacitors.