Electrochemical properties of nickel–aluminum layered double hydroxide/carbon composite fabricated by liquid phase deposition

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2010-11, Vol.195 (22), p.7669-7676
• Main Authors: Béléké, Alexis Bienvenu, Mizuhata, Minoru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active materials; Applied sciences; Batteries; Crystallinity; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Layered double hydroxide; Materials; Nickel hydroxide; Positive electrode
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.05.068

Nickel–aluminum layered double hydroxide/carbon (Ni–Al LDH/C) composites have been fabricated using a mixed solution of {Al(NO 3) 3·9H 2O and H 3BO 3} as fluoride scavengers in the liquid phase deposition (LPD) process. The amount of divalent Ni 2+ substituted by trivalent Al 3+ within the lattice of α-Ni(OH) 2 was controlled by the concentration of Al(NO 3) 3·9H 2O solution. X-ray diffraction studies reveal pure phase Ni–Al LDH, isostructural and isomorphic to α-Ni(OH) 2 with higher interlayer distance. The electrochemical properties of the cathode materials containing 0, 8.6, 13.8, 17.8, 21.3 and 23.4 Al% were evaluated by the means of charge–discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The overall comparison indicates that Ni–Al LDH/C composites have higher electrochemical performance than pure α-Ni(OH) 2/C composite. The cathode with 17.8 Al% exhibits the best performance at 1 C compared to other Al 3+ contents; a much lower voltage plateau, well separated from the oxygen evolution at the end of the charging as well as a single flat and high discharge plateau with a discharge capacity of 376.9 mAh g comp −1. Short term durability test for 80 cycles showed that the electrode containing 13.8 Al% has the highest discharge rate at 2 C. The range of Al substitution 13.8–17.8 Al% provides a good electrochemical response.