High electrochemical performance based on ultrathin porous CuO nanobelts grown on Cu substrate as integrated electrode

Abstract

A facile and low-cost approach has been developed to fabricate porous CuO nanobelts directly grown on a Cu substrate. The as-prepared CuO samples can be directly used as integrated electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and pseudo-supercapacitors without the addition of other ancillary materials such as carbon black or a binder to enhance electrode conductivity and cycling stability. The unique nanostructural features endow them with excellent electrochemical performance as demonstrated by high capacities of 640 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.2 C rate and an excellent specific capacitance of 340 F g⁻¹, which corresponds to the energy density of 45 W h kg⁻¹. The cyclability of the electrode demonstrates only a 10–15% loss in capacitance over 5000 cycles.