Growth of nickel silicate nanoplates on reduced graphene oxide as layered nanocomposites for highly reversible lithium storage

Abstract

The combination of active materials with electrically conductive carbon materials and their contact efficiency are crucial for improving the electrochemical performances of active materials. Here, nickel silicate (NiSiO_x) nanoplates are planted in situ on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets to form a two dimensional face-to-face nanocomposite of NiSiO_x/RGO for lithium storage. The face-to-face structure enhances the contact efficiency of NiSiO_x with RGO, and thus leads to a higher reversible capacity and better rate performance of the NiSiO_x/RGO nanocomposite than both carbon nanotube (CNT)@NiSiO_x nanocables and NiSiO_x. The layered NiSiO_x/RGO nanocomposite exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 797 mA h g⁻¹, which is 62% and 806% higher than those of CNT@NiSiO_x nanocables and NiSiO_x alone, respectively.