Large-scale stereoscopic structured heazlewoodite microrod arrays and scale-like microsheets for lithium-ion battery applications

Abstract

Large-scale stereoscopic structured heazlewoodite (Ni₃S₂) microrod arrays and scale-like microsheets were successfully prepared by a facile and environmentally benign approach, in which deionized water and ethanol were used as the environmentally friendly solvent. Uniform bamboo shoot-like Ni₃S₂ microrods and scale-like Ni₃S₂ microsheets were distributed evenly at the surface of a porous three-dimensional nickel substrate. Studies found that the growth process of Ni₃S₂ is dependent on the reaction temperature and solution polarity. An increase in reaction temperature could achieve a rod structure while an increase in solution polarity could obtain a denser structure. Due to the large surface area and regular morphology, the stereoscopic structured Ni₃S₂ microrod arrays and scale-like Ni₃S₂ microsheets were employed as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, and the initial discharge capacity of Ni₃S₂ microrod arrays reached 592 mA h g⁻¹.