Efficient strategy for hollow carbon nanospheres embedded with nickel hydroxide nanocrystals and their excellent lithium-ion storage performances

Abstract

In this study, an efficient supporting matrix for metal hydroxide, carbon hollow nanospheres are firstly applied for the synthesis of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Metal salt is infiltrated within the mesopores of carbon nanospheres, and then transforms into ultrafine metal hydroxide by in-situ precipitation. Immediate conversion reaction occurs between the ammonia solution and metal salt in liquid state to form ultrafine metal hydroxide. Hollow carbon nanospheres containing ultrafine Ni(OH)(2) nanocrystals within the shell exhibit high structural stability during repetitive conversion reactions with Li-ions, as well as superior cycling and rate performances when comparing to those of bare Ni(OH)(2) nanopowders. (C) 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.