We　report　a　simple　and　cost-effective　approach　to　the　synthesis　of　hierarchical　mesporous　Co3O4@NiCo2O4　nanoforests　on　Ni　foam　for　supercapacitor　(SC)　electrode　applications　by　a　coupled　one-step　solution　and　annealing　process.　The　synthesized　electrode　exhibits　capacitive　activation　during　charge-discharge　cycling　(from　0.73　F/cm(2)　of　the　pristine　state　to　the　peak　value　of　1.12　F/cm(2)　after　2000　cycles　with　only　1.8%　loss　compared　to　the　peak　capacitance　after　another　2000　cycles).　We　attribute　such　dynamic　capacitive　activation　to　(1)　enlarged　electroactive　surface　area　through　the　formation　of　Co3O4@NiCo2O4　core-shell　structure　and　(2)　enhanced　electrical　conductivity　by　forming　oxygen　vacancies　and　hydroxyl　groups　during　charge-discharge　cycling.　Our　findings　provide　a　scientific　explanation　for　the　capacitive　activation　in　cobalt　oxide-binary　nickel　cobaltite　compounds,　and　a　new　design　guideline　for　the　development　of　capacitive　activation　enabled,　high　performance　transitional　oxide　electrodes.　(C)　2014　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.