Hierarchical, mesoporous CuCo 2 O 4 nanograss has been synthesized on copper foam using a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal approach followed by a post-annealing treatment. The electrodes made from the novel nanoarchitecture exhibit multi-functional electrochemical performance. They deliver an excellent specific capacitance of 796 F g -1 at a current density of 2 A g -1 in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution and a long-term cyclic stability of 94.7% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles.When applied to electro-catalytic oxidation of methanol, the current density of the CuCo 2 O 4 /Cu foam electrode in 1 M KOH mixed with 0.5 M methanol is maintained up to 27.6 A g -1 . The superior electrochemical performances are mainly due to the unique one dimensional porous acicular architecture with very large surface area and 2 porosity grown on highly conductive Cu substrate, offering faster ion/electron transfer, an improved reactivity and an enhanced structural stability. The fabrication strategy presented here is simple, cost-effective and scalable, which can open new avenues for large-scale applications of the novel materials in energy storage.Fig. 5 (a, b) Low-magnification and high-magnification TEM images of an acicular CuCo 2 O 4 nanograss leaf; (c) corresponding SAED pattern; and (d) energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum of the elements Co, Cu and O.

No abstract

A Ni3S2 nanotube array has been synthesized on Ni foam using a template-free hydrothermal method. The Ni foam acts as both the reactant and support. The resulting architecture as an electrode for lithium ion batteries benefits from the unique morphology and exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with high capacity, long cycle life and superior rate capability.