Cu₃P/RGO Nanocomposite as a New Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Cu₃P/reduced graphene oxide (Cu₃P/RGO) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot method as an advanced anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Cu₃P nanostructures with a polyhedral shape with the mean diameter (80-100 nm) were homogeneously anchored on the surface of RGO. The flexible RGO sheets acted as elastic buffering layer which not only reduced the volume change, but also prevented the aggregation of Cu₃P nanostructures, the cracking and crumbing of electrodes. On the other hand, the presence of Cu₃P nanostructures could also avoid the agglomeration of RGO sheets and retain their highly active surface area. Therefore, as an advanced anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared Cu₃P/RGO exhibited high capacity of 756.15 mAhg^-1 at the current density 500 mAg^-1 after 80 cycles, superior cyclic stability and good rate capability.