Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of aluminum-substituted alpha-Ni(OH)2 hollow spheres

In this work, we reported on the preparation and electrochemical properties of aluminum (Al)-substituted alpha-Ni(OH)(2) hollow spheres. Polystyrene microspheres were used as the templates in large scale to prepare Al-substituted alpha-Ni(OH)(2) hollow spheres. The charge/discharge performance of Al-substituted alpha-Ni(OH)(2) hollow spheres was further investigated as the positive electrode material of alkaline rechargeable batteries. The results showed that the 20.4% Al-containing alpha-Ni(OH)(2) hollow spheres exhibited high discharge capacity (391.1 mAh/g) and excellent cycling reversibility due to the high stability of Al-substituted alpha-Ni(OH)(2) hollow sphere structures in alkaline media, indicating their potential application in the development of high-power alkaline rechargeable batteries. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.