Three-dimensional ordered macroporous Cu/Sn anode for high rate and long cycle life lithium-ion batteries

To overcome the shortcomings of poor conductivity and large volume change, we proposed a novel three-dimensional ordered macroporous Cu/Sn (3DOM Cu/Sn) composite material as the anode of lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Electron microscopies and X-ray diffraction revealed that this new 3DOM Cu/Sn composite has the surface of the 3DOM Cu framework covered with a uniform layer of Sn nanoparticles . As a binder-free anode of LIB without conductive additives, this 3DOM Cu/Sn composite demonstrated an extremely high rate capability of about 707 mAh/g at 5C, which is 4 times higher than that of bare Cu/Sn anode, and excellent durability of 851 mAh/g up to 250 cycles. The post-test analysis showed that extraordinarily electrochemical performances of this composite anode are ascribed to the unique 3DOM microstructure.