Facile Synthesis of Hollow CuO/MWCNT Composites by Infiltration-Reduction-Oxidation Method as High Performance Lithium-ion Battery Anodes

Hollow copper oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CuO/MWCNT) composites were fabricated via an optimized infiltration-reduction-oxidation method, which is more facile and easy to control. The crystalline structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-prepared CuO/ MWCNT composites deliver an initial capacity of 612.3 mAh.g(-1) and with 80% capacity retention (488.2 mAh.g(-1)) after 100 cycles at a current rate of 0.2 A.g(-1). The enhanced electrochemical performance is ascribed to the better electrical conductivity of MWCNT, the hollow structure of CuO particles, and the flexible structure of the CuO/MWCNT composites.