Controlled-fabrication, morphology formation mechanism of TiO2-B nanobelts with NiO-doping

Highlights: • The NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials were synthesized by a uniform precipitation method. • This preparation method was low-cost, simple equipments, easy preparation, short reaction time and better repeatability. • The NiO/TiO₂-B possesses a unique structure which favors the fast charge–discharge capability. • The NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials deliver a high discharge capacity and capacity retentions. - Abstract: The NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials were synthesized by a hydrothermal process and subsequently a uniform precipitation-method. The phase and morphology of the NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials can be controlled to be either nanoparticles or nanosheets by varying the experimental conditions, e.g., the reaction time, the concentration of Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, and the precipitants. We systematically studied the mechanism of morphology evolution which is mainly affected by the reaction conditions. It is found that the NiO nanosheets are intensively and perpendicularly aggregated on the TiO₂-B nanobelts. The mechanisms of the nanosheets growth and the formation of NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials were discussed based on their morphology evolution processes. The NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials deliver a high discharge capacity of 395 mAh g^{− 1} and 96.2% capacity retentions over 50 cycles, implying excellent cycling stability with reversible capacity which is 7.8% higher than that of isolated TiO₂-B nanobelts. This excellent electrochemical performance of the morphology-controlled NiO/TiO₂-B hybrid nanomaterials has a significant potential for lithium-ion battery application.