Herein, the high-frequency intercept with the X-axis represented the equivalent series resistance (R s), associated with the sum of the electrolyte PND-1186 price solution resistance, the intrinsic resistance of active material, and the contact resistance at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The charge transfer resistance of electrode (Rct) was calculated from the diameter

of the semicircle in the high-frequency region, while the straight line at lower frequencies presented the diffusion behavior of ions in the electrode pores. The steeper shape of the sloped line represented an ideal capacitive behavior with the faster diffusion of ions in electrolyte [36]. The measured impedance spectra were analyzed using the complex nonlinear least-squares fitting method on the basis of the equivalent circuit, which is given in the inset of Figure  8d. From the magnified high-frequency regions in the inset of Figure  8d, the NCONAs electrodes after 1st and 3,000th cycles show the charge transfer resistances (R ct), respectively. The R ct value increases only slightly from 1st and 3,000th cycles owing to good contact between the current collector and nanoneedle arrays. These analyses revealed

that the good electrical conductivity and ion diffusion MK-8931 behavior resulted in the high performance of NCONAs carbon cloth selleck products composite as electrode material for SCs. Based on abundant electrochemical analysis, owing to the synergistic effects between nanoneedle arrays and carbon cloth, the flexible NCONAs and carbon cloth composite electrode material exhibit high specific capacitance. very The improved electrochemical performance could be related to the following structural features. Firstly, large surface areas facilitate ion diffusion from the electrolyte to each NCONA, making full use of the active materials,

which undoubtedly contributes to the high capacitance. Secondly, carbon cloth in the hybrid materials could provide not only double layer capacitance to the overall energy storage but also fast electronic transfer channels to improve the electrochemical performances [29]. Third, the direct growth of NCONAs on a conductive substrate could ensure good mechanical adhesion, and more importantly, good electrical connection with the conductive substrate that also serves as the current collector in such binder-free electrodes [35, 37]. In this way, the decreased ion diffusion and charge transfer resistances lead to the improved specific capacitance. Meanwhile, the synergistic effects result in the better cycling stability of the NCONAs and carbon cloth composite electrode. NCONAs in a vertical array and carbon cloth as the platform for sustaining nanoneedles arrays withstand the strain relaxation and mechanical deformation, preventing the electrode materials from seriously swelling and shrinking during the insertion-deinsertion process of the counter ions [38, 39].