The invention discloses a supercapacitor-used nickel vanadate material preparation method, which comprises steps: 1, ammonium vanadate is dissolved in a solvent, nickel nitrate is added, and a reaction precursor solution is obtained; 2, a basic structure directing agent is used to adjust the pH value of the reaction precursor solution to 7 to 12, and by uniform mixing, a reaction mixed solution isobtained; and 3, the reaction mixed solution is transferred to an autoclave, reaction for 8 to 15 h under 100 to 180 DEG C is carried out, and a product nickel vanadate material is obtained. A one-step hydrothermal method is adopted, multiple alkaline reagents are used as structure directing agents, the nickel vanadate material is obtained through adjusting the pH, the operation is simple and safe, the cost is low, and the product purity is high. The invention also discloses a flower-like nickel vanadate material, the material presents a flower-like structure with lamellar layers, the specific surface area is large, the conductivity and the surface permeability are good, and multiple reactive sites exist. The invention also discloses application of the flower-like nickel vanadate materialas a supercapacitor electrode material, the specific capacitance is high, capacity retention and rate performance are good, and the electrochemical impedance is low.