NiO thin films grown directly on Cu foils by pulsed laser deposition as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

• NiO thin films were grown directly on Cu foils by pulsed laser deposition as anode materials for LIBs.
• The obtained NiO film possesses excellent electrochemical performance.
• The unique nanoporous structure and enhanced electrical contact could improve the properties.
• Pulsed laser deposition is promising technique for the preparation of thin-film LIBs.

We reported on NiO thin films grown directly on Cu foils by pulsed laser deposition as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The structural, morphological and electrochemical properties of the films were studied. The results demonstrated that the film exhibits high initial columbic efficiency of 73.6%, high reversible capacity and rather good cycling performance. The discharge specific capacity remained at 687 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 50 cycles. The unique nanoporous structure and enhanced electrical contact between the substrate and active materials could be responsible for the improvement of electrochemical properties.