Facile Synthesis of Hierarchical SiO_x/NiO/Carbon Nanotube Structure as Negatrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon oxide has become promising negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity, abundant reserve, and moderate lithiation potential. However, the cyclic stability and high-rate capacity are unsatisfied due to the large volume change during charging/discharging and poor electrical conductivity of both silicon and silicon oxides. Herein, a novel hierarchical structure composed of SiO_x, NiO and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is proposed and prepared in a facile ball-milling and hydrothermal method. The interlaced CNTs network and NiO nanoparticles coated outside the SiO_x particles act as highly conductive porous shell and prevent crack and pulverization of SiO_x. Benefiting from this structure, the SiO_x/NiO/CNTs composites demonstrate excellent rate capacity and cyclic performance of 916.3 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹.