Porous CuO@C composite as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Though carbon matrices could effectively improve the electrical conductivity and accommodate the volume expansion of CuO-based anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), achieving an optimized utilization ratio of the active CuO component remains a big challenge. In this work, we developed a metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived strategy to synthesize ultrafine CuO nanoparticles embedded in a porous carbon matrix (CuO@C). Benefiting from its unique structure, the resulting CuO@C exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1024 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles and a long-term cycling stability with a reversible capacity of 613 mA h g⁻¹ at 500 mA g⁻¹ over 700 cycles. The outstanding Li-storage performances can be attributed to its porous carbon matrix and ultrafine CuO nanoparticles with more exposed active sites for electrochemical reactions.