One-pot synthesis of ultra-light nickel nanofoams composed of nanowires and their transformation into various functional nanofoams.

Ultra-light Ni nanofoams composed of nanowires have been synthesized on a large scale by a facile reflux approach. From the Ni nanofoam, many other functional nanofoams, composed of semi-hollow NiO nanowires, multi-generation Ni nanowires, and noble metal nanotubes, can be easily derived for many important applications. As an example, the promising application of the NiO nanofoam in lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated.