A hierarchical NiCo2O4@NiCo2O4 core/shell nanostructure was grown on flexible cotton activated carbon textiles (ACTs) to fabricate NiCo2O4@NiCo2O4/ACT electrodes. After dipping with PVA/KOH polymer gel which served as both the solid state electrolyte and separator, the flexible NiCo2O4@ NiCo2O4/ACT hybrid electrode exhibited an exceptional combination of electrochemical and mechanical properties in terms of specific capacitance (1929 F g(-1), based on the mass of NiCo2O4), energy density (83.6 Wh kg(-1)), power density (8.4 kW kg(-1)), cycling stability, and mechanical robustness (the tensile strength is 6.4 times higher than that of pure ACT). The outstanding electrochemical performance is ascribed to the unique core/shell nanostructure with high active-surface area, morphological stability, and short ion transport path. Such hierarchical core/shell nanostructure of the same material on a cotton-enabled flexible substrate should inspire us to develop flexible solid-state textile energy storage devices for future wearable electronics.
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