Lithium storage performance of α-Ni(OH)2 regulated by partial interlayer anion exchange

Hierarchical flower-like alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with interlayer NO3- is prepared via a homogeneous precipitation method. To optimize the lithium storage performance of the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) sample, the interlayer NO3- is partially exchanged by Cl-, SO42-, CO32-, PO43-, and OH-, respectively. The results demonstrate that the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) samples exchanged by SO42-, CO32-, Cl-, and OH- exhibit improved rate capability and enhanced pseudocapacitive behavior. The alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with interlayer NO3- and the ones exchanged by SO42- and Cl- suffer from poor cyclic stability after 50 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1). In contrast, the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) samples exchanged by CO32-, PO43-, and OH- exhibit much-enhanced cyclic stability compared to the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with interlayer NO3-. The alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with interlayer NO3- and the ones exchanged by SO42- and Cl- deliver capacities of 265, 197, and 341 mA h g(-1), respectively, after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1), while the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) samples exchanged by CO32-, PO43-, and OH- maintain reversible capacities of 980, 1172, and 879 mA h g(-1), respectively, after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1). This work provides a new avenue for the rational design and performance optimization of alpha-Ni(OH)(2) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Automated summary

Different anion exchange in alpha-Ni(OH)(2) samples can enhance lithium storage performance. Samples exchanged with CO32-, PO43-, and OH- show improved cyclic stability and higher capacity.