Rational design of hierarchical NiO nanofibers via green electrospinning for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
摘要
Nickel oxide (NiO)-based materials have emerged as promising anode candidates for lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity (718 mA h/g) and cost-effectiveness. However, their practical application is hindered by substantial volume expansion during cycling and intrinsically poor electrical conductivity, while their conventional fabrication often relies on environmentally harmful solvents. To address these dual challenges, we report the hierarchically structured NiO nanoparticle-assembled nanofibers (NiO@NFs) through a green electrospinning approach using environmentally benign ethanol as the sole solvent, which serves as a safe and sustainable alternative to the commonly used toxic solvents combined with an in-situ oxidation strategy. Owing to the unique 0D/1D nanoparticle-nanofiber structure, the optimized NiO@NFs electrode exhibited a high lithium storage capacity, excellent rate capability, and outstanding cycling stability, including a high initial capacity of 857 mA h/g at 0.1 A/g, and remarkable cycling stability (519 mA h/g after 200 cycles). This ethanol-based green fabrication process not only eliminates the need for toxic solvents but also enables precise control over material composition and morphology. This work presents a generalizable strategy for developing high-performance metal oxide-based electrodes, offering new opportunities for advanced energy storage systems.