Synthesis of graphene/Ni–Al layered double hydroxide nanowires and their application as an electrode material for supercapacitors

Graphene oxide (GO) as a template for the morphology controllable synthesis of inorganic particles has recently attracted enormous attention. In this study, we report the synthesis of graphene/Ni–Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanowires by using GO and adjusting the loading of urea in hydrothermal reactions. Transmission electron microscopy observation demonstrates that the graphene/Ni–Al LDH nanowires are composed of nano-sized Ni–Al LDH sheets. This finding demonstrates a new assembly form of LDH materials. Symmetric supercapacitors have been prepared by using the graphene/Ni–Al LDH nanowires as an electrode material. Compared to other Ni–Al LDH materials, the graphene/Ni–Al LDH nanowires exhibit much better performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors, due to the preferential conductive behaviour of the nanowire structures and the conductive networks formed by the nanowires in the corresponding electrodes.