Formation and characterization of Cu–Si nanocomposite electrodes for rechargeable Li batteries

We have investigated the structural and electrochemical properties of Cu–Si nanocomposite electrode fabricated by co-sputtering method. Reversible capacity of an amorphous Si electrode is degraded continuously with increasing cycle number up to 40 cycles. However, a Cu–Si nanocomposite electrode, where Cu nano-dots are embedded in an amorphous Si matrix, shows an excellent reversible capacity with a stable value of ca. 400 μA h cm−2 μm−1 up to 40 cycles. The improved reversible capacity of the Cu–Si nanocomposite electrodes is attributed to the enhanced structural stability of the electrodes due to the presence of the Cu nano-dots evenly distributed throughout the Si matrix.