Fe-incorporated NiSe2 nanostructures as an efficient electrode material for the enhanced supercapacitor applications

Abstract

A nickel diselenide and bimetallic nickel iron diselenide were prepared in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as a reductant by a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), High-resolution Tunneling electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Vibrating sample magnetometer, and Cyclic voltammetry. The XRD confirmed the presence of cubic and orthorhombic phases of NiSe₂ and NiFeSe₂, respectively. HRSEM and HRTEM images showed the spherical morphology of both materials. This specific morphology allowed for efficient electron transfer, shortened ion diffusion pathways, and greater ion penetration into the electrode materials, which collectively contributed to enhanced electrochemical performance. The optimized NiFeSe₂ composite recorded a notable specific capacitance of 1016 Fg⁻¹ at a scan rate of 2 mV⁻¹ and its magnetic properties are indicative of antiferromagnetism.