Transition
metal compounds are usually adopted as electrode materials
for supercapacitors. The obtained amorphous Co(CO3)0.5(OH)·0.11H2O (CoCH) electrode nanosheet
before calcination can achieve a specific capacity of 691.6 C/g, at
a current density of 1 A/g, as well as an excellent rate performance
30.88% from 1 to 20 A/g. Particalization of electrode CoCH nanosheets
into crystal nanograins can boost the supercapacity from 691.6 to
1308 C/g remarkably. Furthermore, if obtained CoCH grains can be transferred
to a new phase with higher capacity, the performance should be enhanced
even better, in theory. However, with CoCH transforming into Co3O4 nanoparticles gradually, the supercapacity rises
first and falls after reaching a peak point, which might be arising
from the magnetic proximity effect (MPE) of Co3O4 nanoparticles. The supercapacitor performance should be weakened
by the Co3O4 crystal grain increment in density,
so that an optimal property can be achieved near the peak point, for
example, a power density of 967 W kg–1 at an energy
density of 35.3 Wh kg–1 and 8.62 W kg–1 at 16251.3 Wh kg–1. The result indicates that
MPE should exhibit an important influence on energy storage if the
grain layout can be adjusted into a suitable magnetic response configuration.