MOF-derived hollow NiCo₂O₄ nanowires as stable Li-ion battery anodes

Although binary metal oxides with high theoretical specific capacities and power densities are widely investigated as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), their poor cycling stability and huge volume expansion largely limit their extensive application in practical electrode materials. Herein, we report a facile strategy to synthesize hollow NiCo2O4 nanowires through direct calcination of binary metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in air. When evaluated as an anode material for LIBs, NiCo2O4 nanowires deliver a reversible capacity of 1310 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles. Even at a high current density of 1 A g-1, NiCo2O4 nanowires exhibit long-term cycling stability with a capacity of 720 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles. The outstanding lithium-storage performance can be attributed to the unique structures with 1D porous channels, which are beneficial for the fast transfer of Li+ ions and electrolyte and alleviate the strain caused by the volume expansion during cycling processes.