Fabrication of CuO/C films with sisal-like hierarchical microstructures and its application in lithium ion batteries

This study provides an alternative method to fabricate nanocomposite films for lithium ion batteries via hierarchical assembly of organic molecules on copper surfaces. CuO/C films with sisal-like nano/micro binary structures were fabricated by immersing copper plates in an ethanol solution of 4-aminobenzoic acid and subsequent heat treatment at 260 °C. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, galvanostatic discharge–charge measurement and cyclic voltammetry were employed to characterize the structures and electrochemical performance of the composite films. The CuO/C films exhibited reversible capacities greater than 600 mAh g−1, good cyclability, as well as high rate capability as negative electrodes of lithium ion batteries. It was believed that the advantages of composites materials and binary hierarchical structures were responsible for the excellent electrochemical performance.