NiCo[sub 2]O[sub 4]/C Nanocomposite as a Highly Reversible Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A NiCo 2 O 4 / C nanocomposite has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated the composite was composed of crystalline NiCo 2 O 4 and amorphous carbon, and NiCo 2 O 4 and carbon particles amalgamated together with good affinity. The electrochemical results showed as high as 914.5 mAh/g reversible capacity could be achieved at 40 mA/g current density in the potential range of 0.01−3.0 V. The initial coulombic efficiency of the composite was 79.2%, and the capacity retention was 78.3% up to 50 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance indicated that the NiCo 2 O 4 / C nanocomposite might be a promising alternative to conventional graphite-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.