Teaching of Nanocomposite Materials： Preparation and Performance Study of Ni-Cu Sulfide/Polyaniline Composite Electrodes

doi:10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.240327

Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 275-285.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.240327

• Chemistry Teaching and Experiment Innovation • Previous Articles

Teaching of Nanocomposite Materials： Preparation and Performance Study of Ni-Cu Sulfide/Polyaniline Composite Electrodes

Meng ZHANG¹, Hao-Lun WANG¹^,², Bo QUAN¹, Xing ZHENG¹, Ying-Jun PIAO¹, Cheng-Jin AN¹()

^1.College of science，Yanbian University，Yanbian 133002，China
^2.Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain，Ministry of Education，Yanbian University，Yanbian 133002，China

Received:2024-10-19 Accepted:2025-11-22 Published:2026-02-01 Online:2026-03-06
Contact: Cheng-Jin AN
About author:chengjin@ybu.edu.cn
Supported by:
the Teaching and Research Project of the Higher Education Institute of Jilin Province(JGJX2023D89)

Abstract

Abstract:

Taking supercapacitor electrode materials as the teaching entry point， this approach addresses the limitations of traditional transition metal sulfides in high-current-density electrochemical performance. By integrating cutting-edge techniques， combining hydrothermal synthesis with electrochemical deposition into teaching practice， an experimental design for preparing nickel-copper sulfide/polyaniline （Ni₁₇CuS₂₀/PANI） nanocomposite electrodes was developed. Compared to foundational experimental teaching content， this experiment represents advanced research training. Through scanning electron microscopy （SEM）， X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）， and techniques such as constant current charge-discharge testing （GCD）， cyclic voltammetry （CV）， and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）， students are guided to analyze the material’s morphology， elemental composition， and electrochemical performance， gaining a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationship. Experimental results demonstrate that the synergistic interaction between the three-dimensional crosslinked structure of Ni₁₇CuS₂₀/PANI and PANI significantly enhances charge transport efficiency and electrolyte accessibility， thereby improving the material’s cycling stability and specific capacity. The flexible asymmetric supercapacitor constructed from this composite material exhibits a high energy density of 23.78 Wh/kg at a power density of 311.54 W/kg， validating its potential for practical applications. This research training experiment not only highlights the cutting-edge nature of materials science but also emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of experimental teaching. Furthermore， it establishes a comprehensive teaching system encompassing “theory-preparation-characterization-application.” Through such advanced research training， students can comprehensively master skills in material synthesis， performance testing， data analysis， and innovative design， cultivating scientific thinking and engineering practice capabilities. This provides new insights and methodologies for experimental teaching reform in new energy device courses.

Key words: Nickel copper sulfide, Polyaniline, Nanocomposite, Supercapacitor, Experimental teaching reform

CLC Number:

O614.8

Meng ZHANG, Hao-Lun WANG, Bo QUAN, Xing ZHENG, Ying-Jun PIAO, Cheng-Jin AN. Teaching of Nanocomposite Materials： Preparation and Performance Study of Ni-Cu Sulfide/Polyaniline Composite Electrodes[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2026, 43(2): 275-285.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 （A） Schematic illustration of the formation processes of Ni17CuS20/PANI nanostructures on the carbon cloth；（B） Optical image of carbon cloth （CC）； Static contact angle measurements for （C） Ni17CuS20 and （D） Ni17CuS20/PANI

Fig.2 SEM images of CC （A）； SEM images of （B） NiCu（CO3）（OH）2，（C） Ni17CuS20 nanosheets and （D） Ni17CuS20/PANI；（E） Elemental mapping images of Ni17CuS20/PANI

Fig.3 XPS spectra of （A） C1s，（B） O1s，（C） Ni2p，（D） Cu2p，（E） S2p and （F） N1s for Ni17CuS20/PANI

Fig.4 （A） CV curves of NiCu（CO3）（OH）2， Ni17CuS20 and Ni17CuS20/PANI at 50 mV/s；（B） CV curves and （C） GCD curves of Ni17CuS20/PANI at different scan rates and current densities， respectively；（D） Corresponding specific capacitances at different current densities；（E） EIS spectrum of NiCu（CO3）（OH）2， Ni17CuS20 and Ni17CuS20/PANI；（F） Energy storage characteristics of Ni17CuS20/PANI

Fig.5 （A） Schematic illustration of the Ni17CuS20/PANI//AC ASC configuration；（B） CV curves of AC and Ni17CuS20/PANI at a scan rate of 50 mV/s； CV curves of the ASC at different （C） potential windows and （D） scan rates；（E） GCD curves of the ASC at different current densities；（F） Corresponding speci?c capacitances at different current densities；（G） Relationship between the square root of scan rate and the cathodic and anodic peak currents of Ni17CuS20/PANI assembled in ASC；（H） Cycling performance of the ASC at a current density of 5 A/g for 5000 cycles；（I） Ragone plot （energy density vs. power density） of the ASC

Fig.6 （A） CV and （B） GCD curves of two AS devices connected in series

Table 1 Teaching and experimentation schedule

教学环节	实验的具体内容及学时数（h）	总学时数/h
教师讲解	1.新能源器件发展趋势与超级电容器原理（0.1 h） 2.纳米复合材料设计策略与协同效应（0.2 h） 3.水热合成与电化学沉积技术原理（0.2 h）	0.5
学生实验操作	1.NiCu（CO₃）（OH）₂纳米材料制备（6.0 h） 2.Ni₁₇CuS₂₀纳米材料制备（4.0 h） 3.PANI电化学沉积（1.0 h）	11.0
教师演示与分析	1.SEM、XPS表征技术操作示范（1.0 h） 2.电化学工作站数据分析（1.0 h）	2.0
结果讨论与总结	1.形貌与结构分析（1.0 h） 2.电化学性能对比与机理讨论（1.0 h） 3.柔性器件设计与应用展望（0.5 h）	2.5

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Teaching of Nanocomposite Materials： Preparation and Performance Study of Ni-Cu Sulfide/Polyaniline Composite Electrodes

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