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Synthesis of starfish-like Cu2O nanocrystals through γ-irradiation and their application in lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

In this study, single-crystalline starfish-like cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanocrystals with the backbones lengths in the range of 660 nm~16 μm are successfully prepared through γ-irradiation, the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is used as a capping material or soft colloidal templates. Without the addition of CTAB in the reaction system, irregular Cu2O nanoclusters were obtained and their diameter is about 200 nm~1 μm. Controlling the concentration ratio of CTAB to the copper ions, starfish-like morphology of Cu2O can be obtained in high yield. Their structures are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The possible growth mechanism of the starfish structure is discussed in the text. For potential application in lithium-ion batteries, an electrode made of the starfish-like Cu2O shows excellent electrochemical cycling performance and high-rate capability. Compared with the Cu2O nanoclusters, the starfish-like Cu2O exhibits an improved electrochemical cycling stability. The capacity of the starfish-like Cu2O can maintain 340 and 215 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at the rate of 0.1 C and 5 C, respectively. The reversible capacity holds 60% as the discharge–charge rate even increases by 50 times.

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Acknowledgments

We greatly appreciate the help from Central Laboratory of Analysis & Structure Research in University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). This study is financially supported the National Science Foundation for Postdoctoral Scientists of China (no. 112300-X91002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Linhai, 317000, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Weijun Liu, Guihua Chen & Guanghong He

  2. Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Zhang

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  1. Weijun Liu
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  2. Guihua Chen
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  3. Guanghong He
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  4. Wei Zhang
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Correspondence to Weijun Liu.

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Liu, W., Chen, G., He, G. et al. Synthesis of starfish-like Cu2O nanocrystals through γ-irradiation and their application in lithium-ion batteries. J Nanopart Res 13, 2705–2713 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0422-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0422-z

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