Synthesis of nickel-boron/reduced graphene oxide for efficient and stable lithium-ion storage

Electrode material capacities and cycle performances must improve for large-scale applications such as energy storage systems. Numerous investigations have developed cathode materials to improve lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) performance: however, few have examined new anode materials. In this study, we synthesized a Ni-B/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites via a simple chemical reaction method to enhance the stability of electrodes in LIBs. A well-dispersed B, as a component of Ni-B composite, shortened the diffusion distance of lithium ion and allowed for the reversible storage and release of lithium ions. The incorporation of RGO significantly enhanced the dispersion of the Ni-B particles, preventing aggregation and enhancing the electrochemical performance. The long-term cyclic capacity of Ni-B/RGO reached approximately 1200 mAh g^-1 at 400 mA g^-1. Moreover, well-dispersed B from the reduction of B₂O₃ enhanced reactions with Li ions, gradually increasing the capacity. After several cycles, Ni-B/RGO maintained its structure without volume changes and with a uniform dispersion of elements. Therefore, Ni-B/RGO exhibited high stability over long cycles, leading to high reversibility. The combination of these features renders Ni-B/RGO a promising lithium storage material for LIBs.