Nanostructured CoO/NiO/CoNi anodes with tunable morphology for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Nanostructured CoO/NiO/CoNi composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been successfully prepared by a facile, straightforward, and large-scale dealloying method. The effects of NaOH solution concentration on the structure, morphology and electrochemical performances of the resulting products are studied systematically. These results indicate that the concentration of NaOH solution mainly influences the morphology of the CoO/NiO/CoNi composites. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge tests have been conducted to assess the lithium storage performances of the CoO/NiO/CoNi anodes obtained from the 5 M NaOH solution. Remarkably, the CoO/NiO/CoNi anodes exhibit high specific capacity, excellent rate properties, and superb cycling stability. A reversible capacity is still maintained at 575 mA h g^-1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g^-1. Even at a current rate of 2000 mA g^-1, the capacity could reach 267 mA h g^-1. The outstanding electrochemical properties of the CoO/NiO/CoNi anodes make them promising anode materials of LIBs and other energy storage applications.