Electrochemical properties of NiO/Co–P nanocomposite as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

NiO/Co–P nanocomposite is prepared by an electroless cobalt plating technique. The as-prepared composite is characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. SEM and TEM images reveal that the NiO particles are about 200 nm in size, which are modified by Co–P nanoparticles of about 30 nm. The electrochemical properties as anode materials for lithium ion batteries are examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and discharge–charge tests. The results show that, compared with the bare NiO without electroless cobalt plating, NiO/Co–P nanocomposite exhibits a smaller polarization and a better rate capability, which is attributed to the Co–P nanoparticles.

Research highlights▶ NiO/Co–P nanocomposite has been successfully prepared by an electroless cobalt plating technique. ▶ Co–P alloy nanoparticles with the sizes of about 30 nm are plated on the surfaces of NiO particles. ▶ NiO/Co–P nanocomposite delivers discharge and charge capacities of 560 and 540 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g−1. ▶ NiO/Co–P nanocomposite exhibits a smaller polarization and a better rate capability than the bare NiO without electroless cobalt plating.