New synthesis strategy for hollow NiO nanofibers with interstitial nanovoids prepared via electrospinning using camphene for anodes of lithium-ion batteries

This paper introduces a new synthesis strategy suitable for the one-step synthesis of hollow 1-dimensition nanostructures and highly desirable for the simple preparation of well-defined hollow nanostructures with high product yields using camphene. The viscosity gradient of the jet during the electrospinning results in the inward movement of the camphene. Subsequently, the sublimation of camphene generates internal hollow space without further processing. The resulting nanofibers exhibit a reversible discharge capacity of 956 mA h g⁻¹ after 400 cycles when applied as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The discharge capacities of the nanofibers are 1050, 1024, 937, 796, 643, and 483 mA h g⁻¹ at current densities of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 10.0 A g⁻¹, respectively. The NiO nanofibers with hollow structure show high structural stability and shorten the Li⁺-ion diffusion pathway during cycles, which resulted in excellent lithium-ion storage properties.