The synthesis of a hybrid graphene-nickel/manganese mixed oxide and its performance in lithium-ion batteries

Mixing of aqueous suspensions of delaminated NiMn layered double hydroxide (LDH) and graphene oxide leads to the instantaneous precipitation of a hybrid material that after calcination under inert atmosphere at 450 degrees C leads to Ni6MnO8 nanoparticles deposited on larger reconstituted graphene sheets. This material exhibits electrical conductivity similar to graphite, superparamagnetism and can be used as an anode for Li-ion batteries. A maximum capacity value of 1030 mAh g(-1) was found during the first discharge, and capacity values higher than 400 mAh g(-1) were still achieved after 10 cycles. The methodology used here should allow the preparation of a large variety of hybrid graphene-metal oxide materials starting from other LDHs in which the properties derived from both constituents coexist. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.