The binary as well as ternary nanocomposites of the square-facet
nanobar Co-MOF-derived Co3O4@Co/N-CNTs (N-CNTs:
nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes) with Ag NPs and rGO have been synthesized
via an easy wet chemical route, and their supercapacitor behavior
was then studied. At a controlled pH of the precursor solution, square-facet
nanobars of Co-MOF were first synthesized by the solvothermal method
and then pyrolyzed under a controlled nitrogen atmosphere to get a
core–shell system of Co3O4@Co/N-CNTs.
In the second step, different compositions of Co3O4@Co/N-CNT core–shell structures were formed by an ex-situ method with Ag NPs and rGO moieties. Among several
bare, binary, and ternary compositions tested in 6 M aqueous KOH electrolyte,
a ternary nanocomposite having a 7.0:1.5:1.5 stoichiometric ratio
of Co3O4@Co/N-CNT, Ag NPs, and rGO, respectively,
reported the highest specific capacitance (3393.8 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1). The optimized nanocomposite showed
the energy density, power density, and Coulombic efficiency of 74.1
W h.kg–1, 443.7 W.kg–1, and 101.3%,
respectively, with excellent electrochemical stability. After testing
an asymmetrical supercapacitor with a Co3O4@Co/N-CNT/Ag
NPs/rGO/nickel foam cathode and an activated carbon/nickel foam anode,
it showed 4.9 W h.kg–1 of energy density and 5000.0
W.kg–1 of power density.