Scalable fabrication of NiCo(PO4)3 on carbon cloth: Toward next-gen flexible electrochemical energy storage devices

The excellent redox properties and high electrical conductivity of transition metal phosphates have shown exceptional contribution as electrochemical energy storage materials. In this study, nickel cobalt phosphate (NiCo(PO 4 ) 3 ) nanostructures were directly grown on flexible carbon cloth (CC) through a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal process, enabling the fabrication of a binder-free and mechanically robust electrode. The prepared NiCo(PO 4 ) 3 @CC electrode exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance in a three-electrode system using 1 M KOH, delivering a high specific capacity of 117 C/g at 0.4 A/g and an areal capacitance of 59.80 F/cm 2 at 10 mV/s. Notably, the asymmetric device (NiCo(PO 4 ) 3 @CC//AC), remained stable over a wide-operating potential of 1.5 V, delivering a maximum specific capacity of 96.16 C/g, and excellent cycling durability with 79.1% retention after 8000 cycles. This work highlights the synergistic integration of redox-active bimetallic phosphate with a conductive and flexible carbon cloth-based substrate, offering an effective pathway for high-performance, flexible, and wearable electrochemical energy storage devices. • NiCo(PO 4 ) 3 nanostructures were directly grown on flexible carbon cloth • Binder-free electrode fabricated through a simple hydrothermal method • High specific capacity of 215 F g -1 at 0.4 A g -1 in 1 M KOH electrolyte • Excellent cycling stability with 85 % retention after 8000 cycles • Promising flexible electrode for next-generation energy storage devices