Electrospun NiCo2O4 nanotubes as anodes for Li- and Na-ion batteries

Searching for advanced anode materials with exceptional electrochemical performance is essential for next-generation rechargeable batteries. The selection and structural design of anode materials are pivotal in the development of high-performance batteries. Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of uniform NiCo2O4 nanotubes via a simple and cost-effective electrospinning technique followed by calcination in the air. Impressively, the advantages and importance of NiCo2O4 nanotubes as an anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is demonstrated, which surpass their respective monometallic oxides in terms of electrochemical performance. Encouragingly, the as-obtained NiCo2O4 nanotubes as an anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) exhibit appealing electrochemical performance, such as high initial discharge capacity (879 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1)), good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. Moreover, a reversible capacity of 420 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) can be maintained even after 100 cycles, corresponding to around 72% of the second cycle discharge capacity (584 mAh g(-1)). It is worth noting that this facile technique may provide a feasible way for the preparation of other functional materials with tube-like architectures for application in energy-storage device. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.