Synthesis of ordered mesoporous CuCo2O4 with different textures as anode material for lithium ion battery

A well-ordered mesoporous crystalline CuCo2O4 with coupled or uncoupled sub-structure was synthesized via a nanocasting strategy using mesoporous silica KIT-6 as the hard template. The uncoupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 possesses larger pore size, larger Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and larger pore volume than the coupled mesoporous CuCo2O4. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement of the electrodes indicates that the average discharge and charge potentials are 1.1 and 2.1 V, respectively. The galvanostatic charge–discharge test was conducted at a current of 60 mA g−1 in the voltage range of 0.01–3.0 V. Uncoupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 exhibits better Li storage performance than the coupled mesoporous CuCo2O4, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 1564 mA h g−1 and a reversible capacity of 900 mA h g−1 after the 6th cycle. Besides, the rate capability of uncoupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 is higher than that of coupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 due to its more open structure.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► We prepare two types of ordered mesoporous CuCo2O4 by a hard templating method.
► Uncoupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 possesses a more open pore structure than coupled mesoporous CuCo2O4.
► Uncoupled mesoporous CuCo2O4 exhibits better Li storage performance than the coupled mesoporous CuCo2O4.