Nickel nitride as negative electrode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Nickel nitride has been prepared through different routes involving ammonolysis of different precursors (Ni(NH₃)₆Br₂ or nickel nanoparticles obtained from the reduction of nickel nitrate with hydrazine) and thermal decomposition of nickel amide obtained by precipitation in liquid ammonia. The electrochemical behavior against lithium was tested in all cases, the specific capacity being much larger for the latter (1200 mA h g⁻¹ compared to 85 mA h g⁻¹ and 125 mA h g⁻¹ respectively). Ni₃N ‘cast’ electrodes exhibited good rate capability, with 500 mA h g⁻¹ reversible capacity maintained after 10 cycles at a rate of 1 Li per h.