Facile synthesis of a scale-like NiO/Ni composite anode with boosted electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries.

A scale-like NiO/Ni composite was developed via a facile solvothermal method. The NiO/Ni composite showed high capacity retention and superior rate capability, resulting from its unique scale-like structure and the presence of conductive metallic Ni. The composite delivered high initial discharge and charge capacities of 1224.4 and 782.7 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1, with a high capacity retention of 107.92% after 80 cycles, far higher than that of pure NiO (28.2%) prepared using a similar method. Even at an elevated current density of 500 mA g−1, the NiO/Ni composite still maintained desirable cycling stability, with its discharge specific capacity remaining at 552.8 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles. Moreover, the NiO/Ni composite also exhibited much higher rate performance than pure NiO. Our work provides a facile method for the fabrication of a NiO/Ni composite with an engineered structure and improved electrochemical performance. This shows further development potential for similar metal oxides/metal composites as anode candidates for lithium-ion batteries. • A scale-like NiO/Ni composite was developed via a facile solvothermal method. • NiO/Ni composite shows high capacity and superior rate capability as a LIB anode. • We provide an easy method for incorporating Ni in NiO with an engineered structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]