The relationship of spherical nano-Ni(OH)2 microstructure with its voltammetric behavior

The spherical nano-Ni(OH)₂ has been characterized by a series of spectra methods such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical behavior of spherical nano-Ni(OH)₂, attached to a graphite electrode and adjacent to an aqueous KOH-KCl electrolyte solution, has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Spherical nano-Ni(OH)₂ exhibits a pair of quasi-reversible redox peaks. The relationship of the granularity and the potential was investigated, as well as the effect of different pH conditions. Moreover, the cycling experiments have been set up using spherical nano-Ni(OH)₂ and traditional analytical grade Ni(OH)₂, respectively, and their cycling performances were evaluated as well. The capacity of spherical nano-Ni(OH)₂ is ca. ten times higher than the one with the traditional material under the same conditions, which shows its better electrochemical properties.