Durable high-rate performance of CuO hollow nanoparticles/graphene-nanosheet composite anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Copper oxide hollow nanoparticles/graphene-nanosheet composites are prepared using the Kirkendall-effect approach. The composites exhibit a durable lifetime cycle at high rates. The reversible capacity of the material attains 640 mAhg− 1 at 50 mAg− 1 and the capacity retention is ca. 96% when the current density is increased 10 times. At 1 Ag− 1 (ca. 1.7 C), the reversible capacity reaches 485 mAhg− 1 and remains at 281 mAhg− 1 after 500 cycles, indicating that the capacity fading is less than 0.4 mAhg− 1 per cycle. This excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the hollow interior of CuO nanoparticles as well as synergistic effect between CuO and graphene.

► The CuO hollow nanoparticles/graphene composite (CuO-HNPs/G) was prepared via the Kirkendall effect.
► CuO-HNPs/G exhibits the excellent rate capabilities.
► CuO-HNPs/G holds durable cycle life (500 cycles) at high rate.