Copper-Antimony Alloy-Nanoparticle Clusters Supported on Porous Cu Networks for Electrochemical Energy Storage

• Published in: Particle & particle systems characterization Vol. 33; no. 8; pp. 553 - 559
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chi, Xu, Kai-Qi, Zhou, Wen, Lu, Xue-Feng, Li, Rui-Ying, Li, Gao-Ren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Clusters; Copper; copper-antimony alloy; Electrochemical analysis; electrochemical energy storage; Electrodeposition; Lithium batteries; nanoparticle cluster; Nanoparticles; Networks; Rechargeable batteries; Stability
• ISSN: 0934-0866; 1521-4117
• DOI: 10.1002/ppsc.201500198

Novel copper–antimony (Cu2Sb) alloy–nanoparticle clusters (CANCs) supported on porous Cu networks are successfully synthesized by electrodeposition. The porous structures in CANCs can provide adequate void space to accommodate volume change during charging/discharging, and accordingly can prevent the pulverization and electrical isolation, enabling long‐term cycling. The porous Cu networks as supports can provide large surface areas for the growth of CANCs, excellent electron transportation for charge/discharge, and an efficient “buffer zone” for volume fluctuation of Cu2Sb alloys. The CANCs show superior electrochemical performance, such as high and reversible capacity and superior long‐term cycle stability. With ease of large scale fabrication, low‐cost, environmentally friendly, and superior electrochemical characteristics, the CANCs qualify as a promising candidate for anode materials of Li‐ion batteries with high performance. Novel copper–antimony (Cu2Sb) alloy–nanoparticle clusters (CANCs) supported on porous Cu networks are successfully synthesized by electrodeposition. The CANCs show superior electrochemical performance, such as high and reversible capacity and superior long‐term cycle stability, and they qualify as a promising candidates for anode materials of Li‐ion batteries with high performance.