Al-substituted Ni(OH)(2) samples with Al3+/Ni2+ mole ratio of 0%, 10% and 20% have been prepared by a very facile chemical co-precipitation method. The microstructure of the prepared samples are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results reveal that the pure Ni(OH)(2) sample is beta-Ni(OH)(2) with nanosheets hierarchical structure; the sample with 10% Al is mixed phase alpha/beta-Ni(OH)(2) with hybrid nanosheets/nanoparticles hierarchical structure; the sample with 20% Al is alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with irregular nanoparticles hierarchical structure. The lithium storage performances of the prepared samples are characterized by cyclic voltammograms (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and charge-discharge tests. The results demonstrate that Al substitution could improve the lithium storage performances of nickel hydroxide. In particular, the mixed phase alpha/beta-Ni(OH)(2) with 10% Al exhibited the highest electrochemical activity, the best rate performance, and superior cycling stability. For example, after 30 charge/discharge cycles under a current density of 200 mA g(-1), the mixed phase alpha/beta-Ni(OH)(2) with 10% Al can still deliver a specific discharge capacity of 964 mAh g(-1), much higher than of for the alpha-Ni(OH)(2) with 20% Al (681 mAh g(-1)) and the pure Ni(OH)(2) (419 mAh g(-1)). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.