One-pot synthesis of NiO/C composite nanoparticles as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• NiO/C nanocomposite material is prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal approach.
• Both NiO and NiO/C composite have a narrow particle size distribution.
• Carbon in the NiO/C enhanced the conductivity and suppressed particle aggregation.
• NiO/C composites maintained a reversible capacity of 585.9 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles.

Nanostructured NiO/C composite particles with controlled carbon content for lithium-ion battery anode were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal approach and subsequent calcination in a high purity nitrogen atmosphere. The composites were composed of amorphous carbon and nanocrystalline NiO. The structure of the NiO crystals was determined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and the content of carbon was calculated from the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a relatively narrow distribution of particle size for both the neat NiO and NiO/C nanoparticles. Electrochemical performance measurements demonstrated that, after 50 cycles, NiO/C nanocomposites maintained a high reversible capacity of 585.9 mAh g−1, much higher than that of 356.1 mAh g−1 of the neat NiO nanoparticles without carbon. The NiO/C nanoparticles also exhibited a remarkable discharge capacity, a high charge/discharge rate and an excellent cycle stability. The improvements can be attributed to the even carbon coating on the NiO particles, which significantly enhances the conductivity and improves the structural stability of the electrode.