3D CuO@nitrogen-graphene aerogel hybrids as anodes for lithium-ion batteries: Gas-liquid interfacial assembly and superior electrochemical performance

A three-dimensional hybrid consisting of nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel and the fusiform CuO nanoparticles is facilely assembled by using a gas-liquid interfacial reaction followed by freeze-drying. The results show that the CuO particles are dispersed evenly into the three-dimensional architecture of graphene aerogel to form a hierarchal porous structure. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the resultant CuO@N-GA hybrid possesses a large first discharge specific capacity of 1442.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ with a coulombic efficiency of 58.1%. Moreover, the hybrid exhibits superior cycle stability and excellent rate performance. Its discharge specific capacity maintains as high as 725.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles and 502.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 1000 mA g⁻¹. The enhanced electrochemical performance of CuO@N-GA is mainly originated from its unique interconnected porous structure, the incorporation of nitrogen, and the well dispersed CuO nanoparticles.