Core-shell CuO@TiO2 nanorods as a highly stable anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A hierarchical nanorod structure containing a CuO core and a TiO2 shell (CuO@TiO2) was successfully prepared and demonstrated high capacity and cycle stability as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The Cu dendrites were prepared by galvanic displacement using an aluminum plate, and a layer of TiO2 was coated on the Cu dendrites through sal-gel processing. Finally, the Cu@TiO2 dendrites were evolved to CuO@TiO2 nanorods by thermal oxidative annealing. Core-shell CuO@TiO2 exhibited reversible specific capacity (400 mAhg(-1) at 0.1C) and stable cyclability (97% after 100 cycles). This work suggests a facile and cost-effective strategy for the fabrication of a core-shell structure that has the potential to be useful in energy storage devices. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.