Solvothermal synthesis of ternary Cu2O-CuO-RGO composites as anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Ternary copper oxides/reduced graphene oxide (Cu 2 O-CuO-RGO) composites were successfully synthesized in situ by a self-assembly solvothermal method in a water-ethanol mixture and used directly as the anode material for lithium ion batteries . The Cu 2 O-CuO-RGO composites delivered a reversible capacity of 842.5   mAh   g −1 after 80 cycles at a current density of 100   mA   g −1 , and after every 10 cycles at current densities of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 100   mA   g −1 , respectively, the specific capacities of the composites were approximately 840, 723, 511, 402, 336, 224, and 703   mAh   g −1 , respectively. The improved electrochemical performance of the composites is closely related to its sandwich structure, with multicomponent Cu 2 O-CuO nanospheres adhering tightly to both sides of RGO nanosheets . This structure could shorten the transport pathways for both electrons and lithium ions , prevent the RGO nanosheets from stacking, enhance the electrical conductivity and accommodate the volume expansion that occurs during prolonged cycling.