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The development of multifunctional composites is a challenging but necessary path for the miniaturization and integration of electronic products. Herein, versatile bimetal hydroxide (NiCo 2 (OH) 6) nanowires coated on TiO 2 modified lignin based carbon nanofibers (CNFs/TiO 2 @NiCo 2 (OH) 6) have been prepared successfully by the method of electrospinning followed by hydrothermal treatment. The loading of NiCo 2 (OH) 6 , the doping of N, and the modification of TiO 2 endow the CNFs/TiO 2 @NiCo 2 (OH) 6 with multifunctional application in energy storage and microwave absorption (MA). The abundant pores and active sites result in an excellent electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 752.47 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. More importantly, the assembled supercapacitor exhibits a maximum energy density of 60.64 Wh kg−1 and a superior stability of 90.2 % even after 4000 cycles at the current density of 10 A g−1. Moreover, considering the unique porous layered-structure as well as eminent electromagnetic matching properties, as-prepared composites display an excellent MA property, which possesses a minimum reflection loss (RL min) of −46.48 dB and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL < 10 dB) of 2 GHz (covering 47.62 % of X-band frequency). This work simultaneously delivers the potential application in the field of energy storage and MA. [Display omitted] • Bimetal hydroxide nanowires are grown on TiO 2 modified lignin based CNFs. • TiO 2 doping can enhance the MA properties of composites by improving the permittivity. • The doped TiO 2 generates more micro-defects and oxygen vacancies in CNFs. • The proposed design endows the versatile composites with excellent performance. • Providing a promising approach for the high-value utilization of lignin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) with the advantages of facile preparation method, excellent electrical conductivity and ease compounding are expected to be excellent electrode materials for supercapacitors. However, the tiny specific surface area and low specific capacitance prevent the further development of carbon nanofibers. In this work, the porous coal-based carbon nanofibers (PCCNFs-2) are fabricated via a facile dual-template method, which can be directly employed as a flexible electrode material for supercapacitors without the addition of any conductive agents and binders. As a result, the flexible self-supporting electrode (PCCNFs-2) achieves a specific capacitance of 262.0 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, excellent rate performance (81.0 % capacitance retention at a current density of 20 A g−1) and excellent cycling stability (after 10,000 cycles, 124 % capacity retention at 2 A g−1). Furthermore, the aqueous symmetrical supercapacitors (SCs) assembled with melamine foam as the storage electrolyte at an operating voltage of 1.2 V achieved an energy density of 18.5 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 150.5 W kg−1. The effective construction of this porous carbon nanofiber assures the structural integrity and achieves excellent electrochemical performance of the electrode material, which develops a new strategy for efficient utilization of porous coal-based carbon nanofibers in supercapacitors. [Display omitted] • Flexible self-supporting PCCNFs-2 electrodes were prepared via dual-template strategy. • PCCNFs-2 electrode has a capacity retention rate of 124 % after 10,000 cycles. • The symmetrical supercapacitors with PCCNFs-2 exhibits high energy density and long cycling lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composites of transition metal oxide and carbon nanofibers (CNF) are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors in alkali solutions. However, the weak binding and unsatisfactory rate performance limit their application. To improve the weak binding, this study prepared the SiO 2 -modified carbon nanofibers (Si 1 -C) via electrospinning. Then the fully encapsulated CoO-NiO (NiCo@Si 1 -C) was fabricated on Si 1 -C by solvent-thermal and calcination. As is revealed, CNF containing SiO 2 is conducive to forming a full coverage of CoO-NiO coating with a stacked petal structure. More importantly, nano-SiO 2 plays the anchoring role of NiO-CoO and CNF, making the combination more firmly. The NiCo@Si 1 -C delivers a specific capacitance of 518.1 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, almost 2.25 times that of NiCo@Si 0 -C (229.9 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1). When the current density increases to 50 A g−1, it is only 3.9 % lower than the capacitance (497.9 F g−1), which means a high rate performance. Moreover, asymmetric supercapacitor devices are assembled with activated carbon (NiCo@Si 1 -C//AC) with an energy density of 11.7 Wh kg−1, even at a high power density of 14,000.7 W kg−1. [Display omitted] • Nano-SiO 2 plays the anchoring role of NiO-CoO and CNF, making the combination more firmly. • The NiCo@Si 1 -C has a unique all-encapsulated CoO-NiO with a stacked petals structure. • The NiCo@Si 1 -C has ultra-high rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]