Electrospun preparation and lithium storage properties of NiFe2O4 nanofibers

In this paper, we successfully synthesized NiFe2O4 nanofibers via simple electrospinning process followed by calcination process. Only peaks of NiFe2O4 could be observed from X-ray diffractometry patterns, indicating the formation of pure compound. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy images showed the as-spun NiFe2O4 nanofibers calcined at 800 A degrees C ranged from 130 to 220 nm in diameter. The electrochemical properties of the nanofibers anode material for lithium-ion batteries were tested. It was found that the obtained NiFe2O4 nanofibers calcined at 800 A degrees C possessed higher reversible capacity and cycling stability than that of the samples calcined at 600 A degrees C. The as-prepared NiFe2O4 nanofibers calcined at 800 A degrees C exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 1,304 mAh g(-1) in the potential range of 3.0-0.01 V, and the stabilized capacity was as high as 514 mAh g(-1) after 60 cycles. Moreover, the as-prepared NiFe2O4 nanofibers calcined at 800 A degrees C also exhibited high capacity at higher charge/discharge rate.