Reduced graphene oxide and nanosheet-based nickel oxide microsphere composite as an anode material for lithium ion battery

Reduced graphene oxide and nickel oxide composite was prepared by homogeneous coprecipitation and subsequent annealing. Characterizations show that NiO particles have a nanosheet-based microsphere structure and anchor uniformly on the surface of reduced graphene oxide platelets. As an anode for Li ion batteries, the composite has 1641 mAh g(-1) and 1097 mAh g(-1) specific capacities for the first discharge and charge, respectively, higher than the theoretical capacity of NiO. It shows an excellent cycling performance with a discharge capacity of 1041 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles at a current of 100 mA g(-1), and has a good rate capacity with 727 mAh g(-1) at a current of 1600 mA g(-1). The results show a synergistic effect of nanosheet-based NiO microspheres and reduced graphene oxide platelets in the composite for improved electrochemical performance. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.