CuO/C microspheres as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 56; no. 19; pp. 6752 - 6756
• Main Authors: Huang, X.H., Wang, C.B., Zhang, S.Y., Zhou, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 30.07.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anode; ANODES; Applied sciences; BATTERIES; Carbon; Charge; CHEMICAL PROPERTIES; COPPER OXIDE; CuO/C; CUPRIC OXIDE; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Discharge; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium batteries; Lithium ion battery; Lithium-ion batteries; Microsphere; Microspheres; PARTICLES; Roasting; Scanning electron microscopy; Lithium ion battery; Microsphere; Anode; CuO/C; Scanning electron microscopy; Cycling; Thermogravimetry; Secondary cell; Electrode material; Carbon; Discharge charge cycle; Composite material; Calcining; Surface structure; Copper Oxides; Transmission electron microscopy; Morphology; Preparation; Lithion ion batteries; Thermal analysis; Electrical characteristic
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2011.05.072

► CuO/C composite microspheres have been successfully prepared by calcining the CuCl 2/resorcinol–formaldehyde gel in argon atmosphere followed by a subsequent oxidation treatment using H 2O 2 solution. ► CuO particles disperse homogenously inside the carbon aerogel microspheres. ► Carbon aerogel microspheres have the abilities of alleviating the pulverization, suppressing the aggregation, and enhancing the conductivity of the CuO particles. Therefore, CuO/C composite microspheres exhibit better electrochemical performance than that of pure CuO. CuO/C microspheres are prepared by calcining CuCl 2/resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) gel in argon atmosphere followed by a subsequent oxidation process using H 2O 2 solution. The microstructure and morphology of materials are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transition electron microscopy (TEM). Carbon microspheres have an average diameter of about 2 μm, and CuO particles with the sizes of 50–200 nm disperse in these microspheres. The electrochemical properties of CuO/C microspheres as anode materials for lithium ion batteries are investigated by galvanostatic discharge–charge and cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests. The results show that CuO/C microspheres deliver discharge and charge capacities of 470 and 440 mAh g −1 after 50 cycles, and they also exhibit better rate capability than that of pure CuO. It is believed that the carbon microspheres play an important role in their electrochemical properties.