In this work, a facile hydrothermal approach for the shape-controlled synthesis of NiCo2S4 architectures is reported. Four different morphologies, urchin-, tube-, flower-, and cubic-like NiCo2S4 microstructures, have been successfully synthesized by employing various solvents. The obtained precursors and products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It is revealed that the supersaturation of nucleation and crystal growth is determined by the solvent polarity and solubility, which can precisely control the morphology of NiCo2S4 microstructures. The detailed electrochemical performances of the various NiCo2S4 microstructures are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. The results indicate that the tube-like NiCo2S4 exhibits promising capacitive properties with high capacitance and excellent retention. Its specific capacitance can reach 1048 F g(-1) at the current density of 3.0 A g(-1) and 75.9% of its initial capacitance is maintained at the current density of 10.0 A g(-1) after 5000 charge-discharge cycles.

Using a simple hydrothermal route coupled with a carbonization treatment, one-dimensional NiCo 2 S 4 @MnO 2 heterostructures have been fabricated successfully.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements showed that MnO 2 nanoflakes uniformly wrapped on the surface of NiCo 2 S 4 nanotube and formed core-shell heterostructured nanotubes, which combine both advantages of NiCo 2 S 4 such as excellent cycle stability and MnO 2 with high capacity. Serving as supercapacitor electrode, the NiCo 2 S 4 @MnO 2 heterostructures give a remarkable specific capacitance (1337.8 F/g at the current density of 2.0 A/g) and excellent cycling stability (remaining 82% after 2000 cycles) due to their synergistic effects of NiCo 2 S 4 and MnO 2 . Such unique nanoarchitectures demonstrate potential applications in energy storage electrodes and inspire researchers continue to focus on heterostructured materials.

A NiCo2O4/NiO-HD nanocage is synthesized using MOF as a precursor and self-sacrificing template. A lithium-ion battery anode based this novel nanomaterial exhibits outstanding capacity, cycling stability and rate performance.