Electrochemical performance of NiCo₂O₄ and NiCo₂O₄/Ti₃AlC₂ composite for supercapacitor applications

Supercapacitors are pivotal for the advancement of energy storage technologies, offering unparalleled power density and rapid charge–discharge cycles essential for modern electronic and automotive applications. Combining different materials is a powerful approach to enhancing the electrochemical properties of each constituent. In the current report, we examine the structural, morphological, and electrochemical characteristics of pure NiCo 2 O 4 and NiCo 2 O 4% -5% Ti 3 AlC 2 composite. The pristine NiCo 2 O 4 is fabricated utilizing the Sol–Gel auto-combustion route, while its composite NiCo 2 O 4% -5% Ti 3 AlC 2 is prepared in ethanol using the ultrasonic process. Structural analysis confirms the existence of the cubic spinel phase of NiCo 2 O 4 with the Fd 3 ̅ m space group. Surface morphological analysis reveals a distribution of well-defined particles with a decrease in particle size from 50–40 nm. Elemental analysis confirms the purity of the sample by the presence of stoichiometric amounts of the elements. Electrochemical analysis of the studied composite exhibits superior electrochemical properties. Specifically, the highest specific capacitance of 129. 62 F g −1 for pure NiCo 2 O 4 and 126.82 F g −1 for NiCo 2 O 4 -5% Ti 3 AlC 2 composite is achieved at 2 mA g −1 current density. However, the addition of 5% Ti 3 AlC 2 in NiCo 2 O 4 improved its energy density by 27%. Additionally, NiCo 2 O 4 –5% Ti 3 AlC 2 material demonstrated excellent capacitance retention, maintaining 87% after 8000 charge–discharge cycles. These findings show the potential of the studied composite for supercapacitor electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage.