Preparation, characterization and electrochemical behavior of porous sphere-like α-Ni(OH)2 nanostructures

Nickel hydroxide was deposited on the stainless steel via cathodic electrodeposition from 0.005 M Ni(NO3)(3) bath at temperature of 80 degrees C without using any surfactant or template. The deposition experiments were performed at the current density of 0.1 mA cm(-2) for 2 h. The XRD and IR analyses displayed that the obtained deposit has a phase of Ni(OH)(2). Nitrate ions intercalation in the deposit structure was confirmed via CHN and IR analyses. SEM observations showed that alpha-Ni(OH)(2) is composed of sphere-like structures at nanoscale, which have uneven and porous surface. The electrochemical performance of the prepared sample was evaluated by CV and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The discharge capacity of the prepared alpha-Ni(OH)(2) nanospheres was calculated to be 418 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at a charging/discharging current density of 100 mA g(-1). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.