Design and synthesis of hierarchical NiO/Ni3V2O8 nanoplatelet arrays with enhanced lithium storage properties

Abstract

Hierarchical NiO/Ni3V2O8 nanoplatelet arrays (NPAs) grown on Ti foil were prepared as free-standing anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) via a simple one-step hydrothermal approach followed by thermal treatment to enhance Li storage performance. Compared to the bare NiO, the fabricated NiO/Ni3V2O8 NPAs exhibited significantly enhanced electrochemical performances with superior discharge capacity (1169.3 mA h g-1 at 200 mA g-1), excellent cycling stability (570.1 mA h g-1 after 600 cycles at current density of 1000 mA g-1) and remarkable rate capability (427.5 mA h g-1 even at rate of 8000 mA g-1). The excellent electrochemical performances of the NiO/Ni3V2O8 NPAs were mainly attributed to their unique composition and hierarchical structural features, which not only could offer fast Li+ diffusion, high surface area and good electrolyte penetration, but also could withstand the volume change. The ex situ XRD analysis revealed that the charge/discharge mechanism of the NiO/Ni3V2O8 NPAs included conversion and intercalation reaction. Such NiO/Ni3V2O8 NPAs manifest great potential as anode materials for LIBs with the advantages of a facile, low-cost approach and outstanding electrochemical performances.