Abstract: Nanocomposite of LiF-Ni with a highly heterogeneous mixture was fabricated using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, and it exhibited remarkable electrochemical activity. The electrochemical reaction of LiF-Ni nanocomposite thin-film electrode with Li was firstly investigated by the discharge/charge and cyclic voltammetry. The initial charge capacity of the LiF-Ni/Li cell was found to be 107 mAh•g−1. The process of releasing Li from the as-deposited LiF-Ni nanocomposite thin films was confirmed by ex-situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and by the selected area electron diffraction measurements. These results provided a direct experimental evidence to support the electrochemical decomposition of LiF driven by the transition metal Ni in the potential range from 1.0 V to 4.0 V. LiF-Ni nanocomposite electrodes could be a novel candidate that could be used as an appropriate for Li storage material.

Key words: LiF-Ni, Nanocomposite thin film, Pulsed laser deposition, Electrochemical reaction