NiCo2O4/C Nanocomposite as a highly reversible anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A NiCo2O4/C nanocomposite has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated the composite was composed of crystalline NiCo2O4 and amorphous carbon, and NiCo2O4 and carbon particles amalgamated together with good affinity. The electrochemical results showed as high as 914.5 mAh/g reversible capacity could be achieved at 40 mA/g current density in the potential range of 0.01-3.0 V. The initial coulombic efficiency of the composite was 79.2%, and the capacity retention was 78.3% up to 50 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance indicated that the NiCo2O4/C nanocomposite might be a promising alternative to conventional graphite-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.