Controlled synthesis of nickel carbide nanoparticles and their application in lithium storage.

Graphical abstract Ni 3 C nanoparticles were controlled synthesized for lithium storage due to its high intrinsic electrical conductivity and chemical stability. Highlights • Nickel carbide (Ni 3 C) nanoparticles were controlled synthesized by a facile oil phase approach. • The resultant Ni 3 C exhibits large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. • Ni 3 C can be treated as highly efficient electrode for Li-ion batteries. Abstract Herein, nickel carbide (Ni 3 C) nanoparticles were controlled synthesized by decomposing nickel acetylacetonate in oleylamine and oleic acid solvent at a comparatively low temperature of 280 °C. The resultant Ni 3 C nanoparticles with an average size of 18 nm exhibited large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. And the charge transport during the Li+ intercalation and deintercalation processes can be effectively facilitated by this kind of unique structure. Serving as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, the Ni 3 C nanoparticles presented a high stable specific capacity of 390.1 mAh g−1 during 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 and excellent rate performance (e.g. 152.1 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). This phenomenon attributed to the advantages of the high intrinsic electrical conductivity and chemical stability of Ni 3 C. The effective nanostructure of transition metal carbides provides a promising approach to synthesis stable electrode materials for energy and environmental related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]