Synthesis of NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

• NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube composites were prepared.
• The morphology of the composites was affected by heat treating temperature.
• The unique nanostructure of the composites was investigated.
• Electrochemical measurements show good cyclic stability and rate performance.

In this study, NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube composites are prepared by heat treating the single-walled carbon nanotube samples synthesized by direct current arc discharge method. The morphology and nanostructure of the composites are affected by the heat treatment temperature according to the X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results. The electrochemical measurements are evaluated in coin-type cells versus metallic lithium. After heat treatment in H2 at 600 °C for 1 h and in air at 300 °C for 10 h, the NiO nanoparticles encapsulated by carbon shells are evenly distributed on the surface of web-like single-walled carbon nanotubes and a perfect NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube nanostructure is formed. This NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube composite shows a high reversible specific capacity of 758 mA h g−1 after 60 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and an excellent rate capacity of about 594 mA h g−1 even at a high current density of 1600 mA g−1. Therefore, the NiO/carbon shell/single-walled carbon nanotube composites have significant potential for applications in energy storage devices.

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