Metal hydroxides as a conversion electrode for lithium-ion batteries: a case study with a Cu(OH)2 nanoflower array

Conversion electrodes, the materials of choice for the next generation lithium-ion battery (LIB), are mainly limited to metal oxides. In this work, we have investigated the electrochemical performance of chemically synthesized Cu(OH)(2) nanoflower arrays. A 50 : 50 composite of Cu(OH)(2) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) showed a reversible capacity of 522 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 0.1 mA cm(-2) with 95% retention of capacity after 50 cycles. The results demonstrate that it can be a competitive choice over the corresponding oxides as an anode for LIB.