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Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) tuned porous NiCo2O4 sphere composites are prepared for the first time via a reflux synthesis route followed by a post annealing treatment. Benefiting from the advantages of the unique porous structure with a large specific surface area, high mesoporosity and superior electronic conductivity, the as-obtained CQDs/NiCo2O4 composite electrode exhibits high specific capacitance (856 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), excellent rate capability (83.9%, 72.5% and 60.8% capacity retention rate at 20, 50 and 100 A g−1, respectively) and exceptional cycling stability (98.75% of the initial capacity retention over 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1). Furthermore, the assembled AC//CQDs/NiCo2O4 asymmetric supercapacitor manifests a high energy density (27.8 W h kg−1) at a power density of 128 W kg−1 or a high power density (10.24 kW kg−1) at the reasonable energy density of 13.1 W h kg−1 and remarkable …