Hierarchical NiCoO2 nanosheets supported on amorphous carbon nanotubes for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries with a long cycle life

Abstract

In this paper, we report a facile approach to the synthesis of one-dimension (1D) hierarchical NiCoO₂ nanosheets (NSs)@amorphous CNT composites based on the templates and carbon source of polymeric nanotubes (PNTs). Importantly, these sulfonated PNTs can also be used to prepare many other functional 1D metal oxides@amorphous CNT nanostructures, such as TiO₂, SnO₂, CoO and NiO, etc. Due to the outstanding nanostructures and the synergistic effects of the NiCoO₂ NSs and amorphous CNTs, an ultrahigh discharge capacity of 1309 mA h g⁻¹ is delivered by the NiCoO₂@CNT composites, even after 300 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g⁻¹. The favorable improvements of the NiCoO₂ based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) reported in this work illustrate that the 1D amorphous carbon matrix offers significant benefits for high-capacity metal oxide anode nanomaterials.