Synthesis of Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 hollow Spheres@GO composite and its application in sodium-ion batteries

Silicate-based materials have attracted increasing attention as promising candidates for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their unique structural tunability, multi-electron reaction capabilities, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. However, the practical application of silicate-based anodes has been hindered by poor electrical conductivity and large volume changes during charge/discharge cycles. To address these issues, we introduce a novel composite material, Ni 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 hollow spheres@graphene oxide (NiSiO@GO), which integrates the hierarchical porous structure of NiSiO with the conductive, flexible network of graphene oxide (GO). The hierarchical hollow structure effectively buffers the volume expansion during sodium ion insertion and extraction, while the GO coating enhances the material's conductivity and structural stability. This composite shows a reversible capacity of up to 658 mAh g –1 at 50 mA g –1 , with excellent cycle stability and high-rate performance, maintaining 446 mAh g –1 even at 1 A g –1 . The synergetic effect between NiSiO’s high capacity and GO’s conductive properties leads to improved electrochemical performance and highlights the significant impact silicate-based anodes can have in advancing SIBs toward practical applications. This work provides valuable insights into the design of high-performance anodes and supports the practical application of SIBs for large-scale energy storage.