Three-dimensional nanoporous Cu6Sn5/Cu composite from dealloying as anode for lithium ion batteries

A three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous Cu6Sn5/Cu composite is prepared by one-step dealloying of Al-Cu-Sn precursor alloy with a nominal composition of Al10Cu3Sn. The obtained Cu6Sn5/Cu composite shows a mixed structure of dendrite and monotectic porous structure through the horizontal and vertical directions, and both parts have interconnected 3D nanopores uniformly dispersed. When the as-prepared Cu6Sn5/Cu composite is explored as an anode in lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits improved cycling performance and rate capability compared with the ball-milled Cu6Sn5 electrode. The improved electrochemical performance could be assigned to the hierarchical porous structure which facilitates mass transport and buffers volume expansion, and the inactive Cu component in the Cu6Sn5/Cu composite further enhance the stability of the electrode. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.