One-pot facile synthesis of CuS/graphene composite as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

•CuS/graphene composite has been fabricated by one-pot and in-situ method.•The graphene offers a continuous electrically conductive network.•The CuS/graphene composite exhibits good lithium storage performance.

CuS/graphene composite has been synthesized by the one-pot hydrothermal method using thiourea as the sulfur source and reducing agent. The formation of CuS nanoparticles and the reduction of graphene oxide occur simultaneously during the hydrothermal process, which enables a uniform dispersion of CuS nanoparticles on the graphene nanosheets. The electrochemical performance of CuS/graphene composite was studied as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The obtained CuS/graphene composite exhibits a relative high reversible capacity and good cycling stability. The good electrochemical performance of CuS/graphene composite can be attributed to graphene, which improves the electronic conductivity of composite and enhances the interfacial stability of electrode and electrolyte.