Hollow nanodendritic nickel oxide networks prepared by dealloying of nickel-copper alloy

Abstract

Three-dimensional hollow nanorod network of nickel has been produced by a dealloying process of the electrodeposited nickel-copper alloy with nanodendritic structure. The nanostructured nickel was subsequently heat treated to form the nickel oxide with little change in the original structure. The resulting sample was tested as the high rate anode in a rechargeable lithium battery. It shows the exceptional rate capability, far exceeding that of the counterpart of nickel-copper oxide network with normal solid branches: reversible capacity at the rate of 20.9 A g(-1) is approximately 70 % of the capacity at 0.26 A g(-1) rate.