Synthesis and characterization of hierarchical NiO nanoflowers with porous structure

Hierarchical NiO nanoflowers with porous petals were created by calcining the isomorphological β-Ni(OH)2 precursor, which originated from the reaction between Ni(dmg)2 (nickel dimethylglyoximate) and NaOH. Thus-prepared porous NiO flowers displayed a direct energy band of 3.59 eV and a first discharge capacity of 858 mAh g−1 vs Li metal. Compared with that of the normal nanoparticles, the higher electrochemical lithium intercalation could be ascribed to their special nanoporous structure.