Facile synthesis of novel two-dimensional silver-coated layered double hydroxide nanosheets as advanced anode material for Ni-Zn secondary batteries

Silver-coated layered double hydroxide (Ag-coated LDH) nanosheets are successfully prepared by a facile silver mirror reaction and their electrochemical performance has been evaluated as anode materials for Ni-Zn secondary batteries. The microstructure and morphology of as-prepared Ag-coated Zn/Al-LDH are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). As anode material for Ni-Zn secondary batteries, Ag-coated Zn/Al-LDH exhibits high specific capacity (400 mAh g(-1)), good charge discharge properties and excellent cycling performance, which is attributed to the effect of the electron conductivity improvement by the Ag coating on the surface of Zn/Al-LDH nanosheet This newly designed Ag-coated Zn/AI-LDH may offer a promising anode candidate for high-performance Ni-Zn secondary batteries. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.