Core-shell CuO@TiO2 nanorods as a highly stable anode material for lithium-ion batteries

•This article suggests a simple method for preparation of Cu@TiO2 dendrites.•The dendrite is converted CuO@TiO2 nanorod by thermal oxidation.•The CuO@TiO2 shows reversible specific capacity and stability.

A hierarchical nanorod structure containing a CuO core and a TiO2 shell (CuO@TiO2) was successfully prepared and demonstrated high capacity and cycle stability as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The Cu dendrites were prepared by galvanic displacement using an aluminum plate, and a layer of TiO2 was coated on the Cu dendrites through sol–gel processing. Finally, the Cu@TiO2 dendrites were evolved to CuO@TiO2 nanorods by thermal oxidative annealing. Core–shell CuO@TiO2 exhibited reversible specific capacity (400 mAhg−1 at 0.1C) and stable cyclability (97% after 100 cycles). This work suggests a facile and cost-effective strategy for the fabrication of a core-shell structure that has the potential to be useful in energy storage devices.