Facile synthesis of carbon nanotubes supported NiO nanocomposite and its high performance as lithium-ion battery anode

• Published in: Materials letters 2013-09, Vol.107, p.158-161
• Main Authors: Mustansar Abbas, Syed, Tajammul Hussain, Syed, Ali, Saqib, Shahzad Munawar, Khurram, Ahmad, Nisar, Ali, Nisar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; batteries; Carbon nanotubes; Coprecipitation; Current density; electrochemistry; electrodes; FTIR; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanocomposite; nanocomposites; nanocrystals; Nanoparticles; Nanosize; Nanostructure; Networks; X-ray techniques
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2013.05.141

NiO nanocrystals anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated via a polyvinylpyrrolidone assisted co-precipitation route. At a current density of 100mAg−1, the composite anode delivers an initial reversible capacity of 962mAhg−1 and retains the capacity to 601mAhg−1 after 50 cycles. In contrast, the reversible capacity of the pure NiO particles faded to 380mAhg−1 immediately and then gradually decreased to 278mAhg−1 after 50 cycles. The significantly improved electrochemical performance of the NiO/CNT nanocomposite is attributed to the formation of conductive networks by CNTs, and large surface areas of NiO nanoparticles grown on CNTs which stabilizes these nanoparticles against agglomeration and reduces the diffusion length for lithium-ions. The present results indicate that NiO/CNT nanocomposite has potential applications in lithium-ion battery anodes. •Nanocomposite of functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with NiO is prepared.•Monodispersity, shape and size of NiO particles are specifically controlled.•Good quality interfacial adhesion between CNTs and NiO is visible from TEM image.•High coulombic efficiency of 80.1% after 50 cycles.•601/482mAhg−1 corresponding 83.7% of the theoretical capacity of pure NiO.