Large scale synthesis of nickel oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites by direct thermal decomposition and their lithium storage properties

A large scale direct thermal decomposition method has been developed to prepare NiO/MWCNT nanocomposites. The as-prepared NiO nanoparticles are uniformly coated onto the surface of MWCNTs. The well crystallized NiO/MWCNT composites show superior electrochemical performance in Li ion batteries. The lithium storage capacity maintains at ∼800 mAh g−1 after 50 discharge/charge cycles, which is much larger than those reported for NiO and its composites. Therefore, the NiO/MWCNT composites have significant potentials for application in energy storage devices. The direct thermal decomposition method is a versatile route for preparing carbon nanotube-inorganic hybrid electrode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Research highlights
► The large scale and direct thermal decomposition method had been developed to prepare NiO/MWCNT composites.
► The as-prepared NiO nanoparticles are uniformly coated on the surface of MWCNTs with size of only several nanometers.
► The lithium storage properties could maintain at ∼800 mAh g−1 after 50 discharge/charge cycles. It is much larger than the reported results of NiO and its composites.