TiO2 nanotube-coated hierarchical SiC nanowires as novel electrode materials with enhanced electrochemical performances for supercapacitors†

In this work, innovative porous nanostructures based on coral-like porous 1D titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO₂ NTs) grown on hierarchical 1D silicon carbide nanowires (SiC NWs) frameworks, with excellent corrosion resistance, good electrical performance even in high-temperature environments, remarkable conductivity and substantial specific surface area, were rationally constructed via a simple hydrothermal method, which are promising candidates for use as electrode materials in supercapacitors. SiC NWs/TiO₂ NTs-H₃ electrode materials possessed the highest diffusion control in alkaline electrolytes because of their unique structural advantages and significant synergistic interactions among the components, exhibiting long discharging times and better cycling stability. For SiC NWs/TiO₂ NTs-H₃, the specific capacity reached 188.1 F g⁻¹ (0.5 A g⁻¹) and about 87% of the capacity was retained after 3000 cycles, which was better than those of the SiC NWs/TiO₂ NTs-M electrode material obtained by physical mixing under the same conditions and the TiO₂ NTs electrode used alone. Furthermore, the SiC NWs/TiO₂ NTs-H₃ electrode exhibited stable electrochemical performance over a wide temperature range of 25 to 60 °C. The research results indicated that the synthesized hierarchical nanostructured materials possess extensive application potential in the field of supercapacitors, providing a novel idea for the rational design of more efficient SiC-based electrode materials for supercapacitors.