Nanostructured SiO2@NiO heterostructure derived from laboratory glass waste as anode material for lithium-ion battery

In this investigation, we have attempted a novel solution-based strategy to prepare nanostructured silicon oxide@nickel oxide (SiO2@NiO) composite by incorporating NiO into the matrix of the laboratory glass-waste-derived SiO2. The crystal structure and surface functional groups of the prepared composite were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic studies. The morphology of the SiO2@NiO composite examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed uniform distribution of spherical particles with pore size in the range of 120–160 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) analysis revealed the presence of hollow transparent spherical SiO2 grains entrenched with ultrafine NiO particles homogenously. The electrochemical performance of the SiO2@NiO composite as anode material for lithium storage was tested by assembling a CR2032-type coin cell. The cyclic voltammetry studies revealed the excellent electrochemical performance of the SiO2@NiO composite electrode. It is found that the fabricated half-cell delivered a reversible capacity as high as 1000 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C with remarkable Coulombic efficiency of 99%. The SiO2@NiO heterostructure electrode exhibited an appreciable capacity retention of 80% (780 mA h g−1) even at the end of 100th charge/discharge cycle. The excellent electrochemical performance of the SiO2@NiO anode could be attributed to the simultaneous reactions of Li with SiO2, Si, and NiO involving both alloying and conversion mechanisms.