Enhanced electrochemical performance of porous NiO–Ni nanocomposite anode for lithium ion batteries

► Porous nickel foam-supported porous NiO–Ni nanocomposite anodes were successfully synthesized by a simple approach of electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique. ► The existence of nanoscale Ni in the NiO–Ni nanocomposite has the possibility to facilitate the decomposition of Li 2O increasing the columbic efficiency of NiO anode. ► As-prepared porous Ni foam supported-porous NiO–Ni composite was employed as anode material for LIBs without conductive agent and binder, thus the energy density of LIBs can be increased while the anode resistance is efficiently reduced. ► The obtained porous structure is benefical to buffering the volume expansion/constriction of NiO anode during the cycling. The nickel foam-supported porous NiO–Ni nanocomposite synthesized by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique was investigated as anodes for lithium ion batteries. This anode was demonstrated to exhibit improved cycle performance as well as good rate capability. Ni particles in the composites provide a highly conductive medium for electron transfer during the conversion reaction of NiO with Li + and facilitate a more complete decomposition of Li 2O during charge with increased reversibility of conversion reaction. Moreover, the obtained porous structure is benefical to buffering the volume expansion/constriction during the cycling.