The electrochemical performance of nickel chromium oxide as a new anode material for lithium ion batteries.

NiCr 2 O 4 is successfully prepared via hydrothermal pretreatment and subsequent sintering, which shows excellent electrochemical performance as a new anode material for lithium ion batteries with natural graphite adding and sodium alginate binder. At a specific current of 70 mA g −1 , it delivers charge and discharge capacities of 465.5 and 919.8 mAh g −1 in the initial cycle, which gradually increases along with cycle number owing to an electrochemical reconstruction in cycling. After 100 cycles, the charge and discharge capacities are 582.9 and 592.5 mAh g −1 , respectively. Furthermore, it is testified that natural graphite adding can effectively improve the electronic conductivity of the NiCr 2 O 4 electrode, and an appropriate amount of natural graphite is beneficial to improve the specific capacity and cycle stability of the electrode owing to a coordinated electrochemical reconstruction between NiCr 2 O 4 and natural graphite in cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]