Morphology control of NiCo2O4/NF materials by surfactant addition and its electrochemical properties

Micro–nanostructured NiCo 2 O 4 with controllable in situ growth on foam nickel has been successfully realized by introducing different surfactants as soft templates. Herein, several self-supporting NiCo 2 O 4 /NF electrode materials with different dimensions, different morphologies, and excellent electrochemical properties were prepared. The effects of the surfactant type, structure, and reaction conditions on the morphologies, structures, and electrochemical properties of the materials were studied in detail. The results show that NiCo 2 O 4 materials can regulate the formation of flake and fibrous structures of different sizes using a linear anionic surfactant. With the increase in temperature, the cationic surfactant (DMHAC10) can regulate the formation of flake → cactus → fibrous structure. Also, the Gemini cationic surfactant (GC-A) can regulate the formation of flake → cactus ball → urchin-like → fibrous structure. The growth of NiCo 2 O 4 on NF was prevented due to nonionic surfactants. Counter ions only affect the size of the material structure, but the material morphology is unaffected, and the surfactant concentration slightly affects the material morphology. The results of the electrochemical properties showed that the cactus ball NiCo 2 O 4 /NF material of a three-dimensional multistage structure was prepared by adding GC-A at 120°C for 6 h. The prepared material has excellent electrochemical properties such as higher specific capacity (4.74 F/cm 2 ), better charge–discharge ratio, and better cycle stability.