A high-performance anode material for Li-Ion batteries based on a vertically aligned CNTs/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structure

3D vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structures are successfully synthesized as binder-free anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) via a facile electrochemical deposition method followed by subsequent annealing in air. The vertically aligned CNTs/NiCo₂O₄ core/ shell structures are used as binder-free anode materials for LIBs and exhibit high and stable reversible capacity (1147.6 mAhg_-1 at 100 mAg_-1), excellent rate capability (712.9 mAh g_-1 at 1000 mAg_-1), and good cycle stability (no capacity fading over 200 cycles). The improved performance of these LIBs is attributed to the unique 3D vertically aligned CNTs/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell structures, which support high electron conductivity, fast ion/electron transport in the electrode and at the electrolyte/electrode interface, and accommodate the volume change during cycling. Furthermore, the synthetic strategy presented can be easily extended to fabricate other metal oxides with a controlled core/ shell structure, which may be a promising electrode material for high-performance LIBs.