Epoxy Resin Enables Facile Scalable Synthesis of CuO/C Nanohybrid Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

Abstract CuO based anodes hold a promise alternative to the commercial graphite due to their high reversible capacities, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, drastic volume change, partial irreversibility, and poor electron conductivity yields compromised the electrochemical performance including reversible capacities, cyclic stability and rate performance. A facile scalable method is developed to synthesize CuO/C nanohybrid lithium‐ion battery anode. Copper nanoparticles are synthesized in situ using the amine based curing agent as both coordination ligand and reducing agent. The copper nanoparticles/amine based curing agent further reacts with the epoxy resin monomers, where the copper nanoparticles are incorporated into the thermosetting polymer network. Due to thermosetting nature of the epoxy polymer, agglomeration of the copper nanoparticles is effectively suppressed during the carbonization process, which are further converted to the CuO nanoparticles within the carbon matrix through heat treatment in air. Systematic structure and electrochemical performance characterizations are carefully studied. The results show that both the reversible capacities are effectively improved in comparision with the bare carbon sample. Moreover, excellent cyclic stability and high rate capability are also demonstrated by the CuO/C nanohybrid.