Transition metal oxides are extensively investigated as alternative anode materials for lithium ion batteries
owing to their high theoretical capacity. In this work, mesoporous nickel oxide nanostructure is synthesized
by a simple solution method without high calcination temperature. The sample is characterized
using X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission
Electron Microscopy, Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm and surface pyridine adsorption. Large
surface area, nanosphere particles, mesoporous structure and surface lewis acidic and Brönsted sites
are confirmed. The electrochemical properties of mesoporous nanonickel oxide is investigated including
the cycling performance as anode material for lithium ion batteries. The results show that nanonickel
oxide has a high discharge capacity at 1 C, especially the first 5 cycles, compared to previous studies at
low rates (0.035 and 0.14 C) with the same material. Also, nanonickel oxide shows good efficiency
through charge–discharge cycles. All results and data are correlated and discussed.