Influence of alkaline sources for the electrochemical performance of NiCo layered double hydroxide nanostructures

The morphology and composition of nanostructures play important role in their electrochemical properties. Herein, NiCo layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanostructures were prepared by hydrothermal method with NaOH, urea and ammonia as alkaline sources, respectively. The types of alkaline can affect the morphology of the obtained NiCo LDH nanostructures. Compared with the NaOH as alkaline source, NiCo LDHs with urea and ammonia as alkaline sources exhibit obvious nanoflower structure. And the electrode corresponding to ammonia has the highest specific capacity (1498.98 F/g) at a current density of 1 A/g. And the dosage of ammonia was also influenced the composition of the obtained NiCo LDH nanostructures. Moderate ammonia dosage (0.9 mL) would ensure the purity of NiCo LDH, and achieve high specific capacity and high retention rate (82.9 %) at high current density (10 A/g). These obtained results can provide a new idea and sight for the promotion of the related electrochemical devices based on NiCo LDH materials.