A facile, robust and cost-effective co-precipitation method was employed to develop NiCo2O4 (NCO) hexagonal nanostructures for effective positive electrode in asymmetric supercapacitors. With an inclusion of alkali ions in growth solution, the nickel and cobalt ions were homogeneously precipitated and nucleated in the form of hexagonal-shaped NCO with porous properties. Electrochemical performance of NCO was probed in aqueous electrolyte of 2M KOH. NCO nanostructures exhibited good electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacitance of 1525 (+/- 5) F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1). Owing to good electrochemical properties of the material, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled in 2M KOH electrolyte. Specific energy and power densities of the ASC were obtained to be 24.5Wh kg(-1) and 175W kg(-1), respectively at 0.25 A g(-1). Furthermore, the parallel-connected two red colored light-emitting diodes (1.8 V @ current 20 mA) were lit for 4 min. In addition, ASC device can also drive the electrical motor fan up to 50 s, showing the potential application of the electrode material. This high performance in both three electrode and two electrode systems is related to rich redox reaction, well-defined morphology with mesopores and nano-architecture electrode material. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.