Synthesis of three-dimensionally ordered CuO particles using hydrogel template and their enhanced electrochemical performance

Abstract

In this report, we simply fabricated macroporous CuO structures using a poly(MAA/EGDMA) template. The obtained products were closed-cell macroporous structures and composed of highly monodisperse secondary particles. Interestingly, we obtained double shell interconnected CuO structures from one of our experimental condition although there weren’t any extra process. The inner structures of our CuO products were simply controlled by adjustment of the monomer weight ratio at template polymerization. We also found the nano-scale thin carbon layer around the shell part. For their extra inner shell, the obtained CuO structures were shown high specific area. The porous structure and thin carbon layer buffered structural transformation at the lithiation-delitiation process. For their high specific surface area, double-shelled 3DOM-CuO showed higher capacity and better rate capability compared with single-shelled 3DOM-CuO. With the assistance of porous structures, the high surface area and the carbon layer, the obtained CuO double shell macroporous structures were performed as an anode material of LIB and showed excellent capacity stability and Coulombic efficiency.