In-situ growth of NiAl layered double hydroxides on Ni-based metal-organic framework derived hierarchical carbon as high performance material for Zn-ion batteries

The development of advanced active materials with high capacity, low-cost, and safety has become a require-ment to meet future energy storage systems for electric vehicles. Herein, we report a rational in-situ synthesis of NiAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on Ni-based metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived porous carbons (PCs) material (NiAl-LDH/Ni@C) with cross-linking nanosheet structure and high electrical conductivity by a hydrothermal method. This unique structure design improves electrical conductivity, reduces internal resistance, and enables more electrochemically active sites to participate in chemical reactions through the strong inter-action and synergy between the hierarchical structure of two-dimensional nanosheets and PCs. The results exhibit that NiAl-LDH/Ni@C composite possesses a large specific capacity (391.7 mAh g(-1)), high rate capability, and outstanding capacity retention stability (97.6%@10 A g(-1) after 10,000 cycles). Furthermore, the as -assembled Zn-ion battery based on a NiAl-LDH/Ni@C cathode displays a remarkable capacity (345 mAh g(-1)@1 A g(-1)), excellent energy/power density (604.6 Wh kg(-1)/1.77 kW kg(-1)), and superb cycle durability (95.3%@2 A g(-1)). The proposed approach provides an unprecedented direction for designing advanced energy storage devices with high electrochemical performance.

Automated summary

This article reports a rational in-situ synthesis of NiAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on Ni-based metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived porous carbons (PCs) material with a hydrothermal method. The resulting NiAl-LDH/Ni@C composite possesses a unique cross-linking nanosheet structure and high electrical conductivity, which improves conductivity, reduces resistance, and increases electrochemically active sites. The proposed approach provides a direction for designing advanced energy storage devices with high electrochemical performance.