Synthesis of Mn-doped α-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets assisted by liquid-phase laser ablation and their electrochemical properties

Abstract

We designed a new strategy, namely, the laser ablation of a target material in an aqueous ionic solution, to prepare Mn-doped Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets based on reactions between the pulsed laser-induced plasma plume of Mn and the surrounding NiCl₂ solution. The crystalline phase, morphology and structure of the as-derived products are characterised by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results indicate the hierarchical assembly of numerous tiny nanosheet building blocks into a Mn-doped α-Ni(OH)₂ spherical structure. Importantly, the positive electrode made of Mn-doped α-Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets exhibits a high specific capacitance of ∼1000 F g⁻¹ under a current density of 5 A g⁻¹, concurrently possessing excellent cycling ability. This novel strategy may offer researchers an alternative for designing interesting solid targets and ionic solutions towards the fabrication of other new nanostructures for fundamental research and potential applications.