Preparation and electrochemical performance of micro-nanostructured nickel

Abstract

Abstract Micro-nanostructured nickel has been prepared as anode materials for Li ion batteries, via a rheological phase reaction method. Ni 2 C 2 O 4 · x H 2 O ( x = 2 or 2.5) as precursors are obtained from the solid–liquid rheological mixture of (NH4) 2 C 2 O 4 ·H 2 O and Ni(NO 3 ) 2 . The nickel powders are prepared by thermal decomposition of the precursors. The structural, morphological and electrochemical performance are investigated by means of thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and typical electrochemical tests. The micro-nanostructured nickel displays an initial discharge capacity of 457 mAh g −1 . It also has a remarkable cycling stability with an average capacity fade of 0.17% per cycle from 13th to 50th cycle in 0.01–3.00 V versus Li at a constant current density of 100 mA g −1 .