In the present study

we propose a novel electrode material of β-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides via a facile complexation-precipitation method. The as-obtained materials with 3-dimensional nanostructures are further utilized as highly capable electrode material in nickel-metal hydride batteries. The electrochemical test results demonstrated the β-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum-layered double hydroxides with 28% of β-nickel hydroxide provided a superior specific capacity value of 452 mA·h·g

-1

in a current density of 5 A·g

-1

using 6 M KOH as electrolyte as compared with other materials. In addition

the optimized sample displays an outstanding cyclic stability along with a huge specific capacity value of 320 mAh·g

-1

and very small decay rate of 3.3% at 50 A·g

-1

after 3000 cycles of charge/discharge test. These indicate that the newly designed material with nanostructures not only provides an efficient contact interface between electrolyte and active species and facilitates the transport of electrons and ions

but also protects the 3-d

imensional nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides

achieving a high specific capacity

fast redox reaction and excellent long-term cyclic stability. Therefore

the β-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides with superior electrochemical performance is predictable to be a gifted electrode material in nickel-metal hydride batteries.