Synthesis of self-assembled layered double hydroxides/carbon composites by in situ solvothermal method and their application in capacitors

Nickel–aluminum layered double hydroxides/carbon (Ni–Al LDHs/C) composites have been successfully fabricated via a facile in situ water–ethanol system. LDHs nanosheets could highly disperse on the surface of colloidal carbonaceous spheres through the interfacial electrostatic force. Ni–Al LDHs/C composite electrode prepared at 50% ethanol system exhibits the highest capacitance of 1064 F g−1 at a current of 2.5 A g−1, leading to a significant improvement in relation to each individual counterpart (3.5 and 463 F g−1 for carbon and Ni–Al LDHs at 2.5 A g−1, respectively). And a possible mechanism was proposed for the formation of the composites. Highlights: ► Ni–Al LDHs/C composites have been self-assembled by an in situ solvothermal method. ► A possible growth mechanism to explain the composite is proposed. ► Ni–Al LDHs/C composites display better electrochemical performance.