Preparation via an electrochemical method of graphene films coated on both sides with NiO nanoparticles for use as high-performance lithium ion anodes

We report on a simple strategy for the direct synthesis of a thin film comprising interconnected NiO nanoparticles deposited on both sides of a graphene sheet via cathodic deposition. For the co-electrodeposition, graphene oxide (GO) is treated with water-soluble cationic poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) which acts as a stabilizer and trapping agent to form complexes of GO and Ni 2+ . The positively charged complexes migrate toward the stainless steel substrate, resulting in the electrochemical deposition of PEI-modified GO/Ni(OH) 2 at the electrode surface under an applied electric field. The as-synthesized film is then converted to graphene/NiO after annealing at 350 ° C. The interconnected NiO nanoparticles are uniformly deposited on both sides of the graphene surface, as evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. This graphene/NiO structure shows enhanced electrochemical performanc...

Gil-Pyo Kim, Inho Nam, Soomin Park, Junsu Park and Jongheop Yi

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