Preparation and electrochemical performances of cubic shape Cu2O as anode material for lithium ion batteries

Cubic and star-shaped crystalline Cu2O particles were synthesized by reducing the copper citrate complex solution with glucose. The microstructure and morphology of the Cu2O were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of the Cu2O as anode materials for lithium ion batteries were measured by galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. The as-synthesized Cu2O particles were 1–2 μm with narrow distribution and the shape of Cu2O particles had an effect on the electrochemical properties. The cubic Cu2O particles delivered a higher reversible discharge capacity (390 mAh g−1) than the star-shaped Cu2O, and also exhibited good cyclability. The star-shaped Cu2O particles presented poor cyclability due to pulverization and deterioration after cycling, but the morphology of the cubic Cu2O particles was stable even after 50 cycles.