Investigation of the role of Cu2O beads over the wrinkled graphene as an anode material for lithium ion battery

•Controlled 2-step synthesis of Cu2O nanobeads over graphene.•Cu2O nanobeads act as a spacer in between graphene.•Increase of the specific capacity of the battery three fold of capacity of Cu2O.•Initial discharge capacity of the battery got enhanced to 2050 mAh/g.

Herein, we report a controlled two-step synthesis technique to prepare Cu2O nanobeads over hydrogen exfoliated graphene (Cu2O NBs-HEG) and its application as an anode material in lithium ion battery. SEM images have proven, how the long copper hydroxide chains are cut shortened and ended up in copper oxide beads. The Cu2O beads are acting as a spacer in between the two dimensional planes and increasing the specific capacity of the battery almost three fold of the theoretical capacity of Cu2O. The oxidation states of copper are confirmed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Because of the synergetic effect of copper oxide and wrinkled graphene, the initial discharge capacity of the battery got enhanced to 2050 mAh/g. In order to get the charge transfer resistance of the electrode, the impedance spectroscopy is carried out and the results have been discussed.