Copper sulfide microspheres wrapped with reduced graphene oxide for high-capacity lithium-ion storage

In this study, a facile two-step approach was developed to prepare the nanocomposites (CuxS/rGO) of copper sulfide (CuxS) microspheres wrapped with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The morphology and structure of CuxS/rGO materials were researched by using SEM, XRD and laser Raman spectroscopy. As prepared CuxS/rGO nanocomposites, as an active anode material in LIBs, showed distinctly improved electrochemical characteristics, superior cycling stability and high rate capability. Due to the synergistic effect between the CuxS microspheres and the rGO nanosheets, as-prepared CuxS/rGO nanocomposites could effectively alleviate large volume changes, provide a 2D conductive network and trap the diffusion of polysulfides during the discharge-charge processes, therefore, the CuxS/rGO nanocomposites showed excellent electrochemical characteristics. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.