Nano-structured carbon-coated CuO hollow spheres as stable and high rate anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Carbon-coated CuO hollow spheres with a thin layer of CuO nanoparticles anchored to the outer carbon layer were synthesized using a one-step, fast, scalable, and low-cost aerosol spray pyrolysis method. The hollow spherical particles provide a capacity of 670 mA g similar to 1 at 1 C and maintain the capacity for 300 cycles and 400 mA h g(-1) at 50 C. This is the best performance for CuO anodes reported to date. The exceptional electrochemical performance is attributed to the unique architecture of the carbon-coated hollow structure.