Nanotube arrays have shown great potentials in a variety of important applications, such as energy storage.To enhance the inherent properties and endow nanotubes with multifunctionality, the rational design of nanotube arrays with higher complexity in terms of structure and composition are highly desired and still remains a great challenge. In this work, the Ni@NiO core-shell nanoparticle tube arrays (CSNPTAs) were designed and fabricated via an efficient, low-cost and environmental friendly ZnO nanorods templateassisted electrodeposition method, and they are effective in enhancing ion diffusion and surface area as well as preventing nanoparticle agglomeration because of the unique array structures, hollow structures, and core-shell nanoparticle structures. As electrodes, the Ni@NiO CSNPTAs show high electrochemical performance such as high specific capacitance (C sp ), superior rate capability, and excellent cycle stability and exhibit promising applications for high-performance supercapacitors (SCs).transmission of electroactive species because of the porous structures, core-shell structures, nanotube structures and high order arrays, and they show promising utilization in the energy storage systems. [31][32][33][34][35] Hence, it is expected that more diverse functional properties can be introduced into NiO by designing Ni@NiO CSNPTAs. In this study, we present the rational design and fabrication of Ni@NiO CSNPTAs and the promising applications for high-performance supercapacitors (SCs).
Results and DiscussionThe schematic illustration of the procedures used to fabricate Ni@NiO CSNPTAs is shown in Scheme 1. After the fabrication of ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs), Ni nanoparticle layers were electrodeposited on the surfaces of ZnO NRAs to form ZnO@Ni NRAs. Ni nanoparticle tube arrays (NPTAs) were then fabricated by dissolving ZnO templates from the ZnO@Ni NRAs in 3% NH 3 ·H 2 O solution. Finally, the Ni@NiO CSNPTAs were successfully fabricated via the partial oxidation of Ni NPTAs by heat treatment in air. The details of the fabrication procedures of Ni@NiO CSNPTAs are described in the experimental section. SEM images of ZnO NRAs are shown in Figure 1a-b, which shows hexagonal ZnO nanorods were fabricated. The diameters of ZnO nanorods are 300~400 nm, and the lengths are ~2.0 µm. SEM images of the ZnO@Ni NRAs are shown in Figure 1c-d, which shows ZnO nanorods have uniform Ni nanoparticle wraps. After dissolving ZnO, the Ni NPTAs were fabricated and their SEM images with different magnifications are shown in Figure 1e-f, which shows Ni NPTAs have porous structures and are composed of nanoparticles. SEM image of a broken Ni nanotube is shown in inset in Figure 1f, which shows hollow nanotube structure. TEM image of a typical Ni nanotube is shown in Figure 1g, which further proves the hollow tube structures are composed of nanoparticles. The diameters of Ni nanotubes are 500~600 nm and wall thicknesses are ~100 nm. The lengths of Ni nanotubes are ~2.0 µm. The results of HRTEM and SAED in Figure 1h show that the Ni nano...