In the present study, we propose a novel electrode material of beta-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides via a facile complexation-precipitation method. The as-obtained materials with 3-dimensional nanostructures are further utilized as highly capable electrode material in nickel-metal hydride batteries. The electrochemical test results demonstrated the beta-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum-layered double hydroxides with 28% of beta-nickel hydroxide provided a superior specific capacity value of 452 mA.h.g(-1) in a current density of 5 A.g(-1) using 6 M KOH as electrolyte as compared with other materials. In addition, the optimized sample displays an outstanding cyclic stability along with a huge specific capacity value of 320 mA.h.g(-1), and very small decay rate of 3.3% at 50 A.g(-1) after 3000 cycles of charge/discharge test. These indicate that the newly designed material with nanostructures not only provides an efficient contact interface between electrolyte and active species and facilitates the transport of electrons and ions, but also protects the 3-dimensional nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides, achieving a high specific capacity, fast redox reaction and excellent long-term cyclic stability. Therefore, the beta-nickel hydroxide covering nickel/aluminum layered double hydroxides with superior electrochemical performance is predictable to be a gifted electrode material in nickel-metal hydride batteries. (C) 2019 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.