Electrochemical influence of nano-spherical RuO₂.xH₂O thin film on nickel adhesion layer as an anode via short-time pulse current technique for energy storage in rechargeable batteries

Hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO₂.xH₂O) is successfully deposited on nickel (Ni) flashed layer, for the first time, to be used as nano-structured electrodes to enhance the energy storage capabilities. The optimized nanostructured RuO₂.xH₂O on Ni thin layer is prepared using short-time pulse electrodeposition technique at 10% duty cycle, 25 Hz frequency and peak current of 1 A/dm² on Cu foil substrate. The surface analysis of the prepared electrodes shows crystalline and Ru nano-particles forest sizes are ranging from 200 to 50 arranged in an ordered pattern, which is favorable for electrochemical Li-ion intercalation-de-intercalation reactions in the battery system. The discharge-charge reactions exhibit 89% columbic efficiency at 1^st cycle. Moreover, the capacities are significantly improved at the end of 25^th cycle with the good stability. The measured capacities of 771 mAh g^-1 and 743 mAh g^-1 with 96.3% at 0.1C rate to cutoff potential of 0.01 and 2 V vs. Li/Li⁺ were recorded.