Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of self-assembled leaf-like CuO nanostructures

A simple hydrothermal process was used to synthesize the assembled leaf-like copper oxide (CuO) from copper hydroxide and urea in aqueous solution. The field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the individual CuO leaf-like nanostructure has a dimension of about 0.5–1.5 μm in length, 50–70 nm in thickness, and 80–110 nm in width, respectively. These CuO nanostructures were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, which showed that the CuO nanostructures prepared from the hydrothermal process have high crystalline properties with a monoclinic structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirmed that the as-prepared sample is composed of CuO, which is consistent with X-ray diffraction patterns. The CuO nanostructures were used as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating electrochemical properties of a high initial discharge capacity of approximately 1,028 mAh/g along with good cycle stability.