Sandwich-like CuS@GO as a Cathode for Advanced Aluminum Batteries

This paper designed and successfully prepared a novel sandwich-like structure CuS@GO as a cathode material of aluminum batteries (ABs). Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets sandwich CuS nanotubes (NTs) in the middle, and the interconnected carbon layers form a 3D conductive network to connect all CuS NTs. This nanotubular structure is conducive to the infiltration of electrolytes, provides more active sites, and promotes a rapid charge transfer. The one-dimensional hollow tubular structure of CuS and the sandwich-like structure composed of GO can buffer the volume changes generated during cycling, increase mechanical stress, and enhance the structural stability of the material. The synergistic effect of the unique microstructure composed of CuS NTs and GO leads to an enhanced electrochemical performance. At a current density of 0.2A g–1, CuS@GO maintains a specific capacity of nearly 96.85 mAh g–1 and Coulombic efficiency (CE) of nearly 100% after 200 cycles. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of CuS@GO as a cathode material for ABs was also investigated.