Facile fabrication of ZnO–CuO porous hybrid microspheres as lithium ion battery anodes with enhanced cyclability

Abstract

Abstract ZnO–CuO porous hybrid microspheres were successfully produced through a facile aging process of zinc citrate solid microspheres in copper sulfate solution combined with the subsequent annealing treatment in air atmosphere. The electrochemical performance investigation suggests that the harvested ZnO–CuO porous hybrid microspheres illustrate much higher specific capacity and better cycling stability than single ZnO counterparts. A reversible capacity of 585 mAh·g −1 can be acquired for ZnO–CuO porous hybrid microspheres after cycling 500 times at a current density of 200 mA·g −1 . The porous configuration and the incorporation of CuO are responsible for the enhanced lithium storage properties of ZnO–CuO hybrids.