CuO nano hexagons, an efficient energy storage material for Li- ion battery application

Transition metal oxides (TMO) with admirable theoretical capacity acquired by their conversion reaction have been studied extensively as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. In the current inquisition, Cuo nano hexagons are synthesized by rapid hydrothermal method and characterized through various analytical techniques viz XRD, FESEM, TEM, FT-IR, and XPS analysis. Electrochemical cycling performance of CuO as anode material for Li-ion batteries is elucidated at different current densities between 215 mA g(-1) and 4.3 A g(-1). Nano CuO anode exhibits stable discharge performance of similar to 575 mAh g(-1) at current density of 215 mA g(-1) with low irreversible capacity of 265 mA g(-1) in the first cycle which is lesser than several reported values obtained from different nano morphological CuO and composites of CuO with conducting additives. Further, nano CuO anode exhibits high rate capability up to the current density of 4.3 A g(-1) and resumes the initial capacity of 572 mAh g(-1) at 215 mA g(-1) current density and remains stable even beyond 100 cycles with zero capacity fading. These ensuing performance characteristics demonstrate nano CuO as a prospective anode material for lithium ion battery. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.