One-step spray pyrolysis synthesized CuO-carbon composite combined with carboxymethyl cellulose binder as anode for lithium-ion batteries

Copper oxide-carbon composite with hollow sphere structure has been synthesized by a one-step spray pyrolysis method and tested as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Different analytical methods, including X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and systematic electrochemical tests were performed. The results demonstrate that the CuO-carbon composite in conjunction with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder has an excellent electrochemical performance, with a capacity of 577 mAh g-1 up to 100 cycles. The usage of the water soluble binder, CMC, not only obviously improves the electrochemical performance, but also makes the electrode fabrication process much easier and more environmentally friendly.