Nickel/silicon core/shell nanosheet arrays as electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

•Ni nanosheet arrays is the core and Si layer is the shell.•Ni nanosheet arrays act as a three-dimensional current collector to support Si.•Ni nanosheet arrays can improve the conductivity and stability of the electrode.•Ni/Si nanosheet arrays exhibit excellent cyclic and rate performance.

Ni/Si core/shell nanosheet arrays are proposed to enhance the electrochemical lithium-storage properties of silicon. The arrays are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The arrays are micro-sized in height, which are constructed by interconnected Ni nanosheet as the core and Si coating layer as the shell. The electrochemical properties as anode materials of lithium ion batteries are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The arrays can achieve high reversible capacity, good cycle stability and high rate capability. It is believed that the enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the electrode structure, because the interconnected Ni nanosheet can act as a three-dimensional current collector, and it has the ability of improving the electrode conductivity, enlarging the electrochemical reaction interface, and suppressing the electrode pulverization.

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