In Situ Growth of Mesoporous NiO Nanoplates on Graphene Matrix as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Graphene-NiO nanocomposites were prepared via a solvothermal method. The nanostructure and morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM results indicated that NiO nanoplates distributed homogeneously on graphene sheets. The electrochemical properties of the samples as active anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were examined by constant current charge-discharge cycling. With graphene as conductive matrix, homogeneous distribution of NiO nanoplates can be ensured and volume changes of thenanocomposite during the charge and discharge processes can be accomodated effectively, which results in good electrochemical performance of the composites.