Nano-crystalline nickel copper oxide/carbon composite fabricated by in-situ spray pyrolysis technique as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

The demand for lithium ion batteries has increased in recent years because of the widespread use of portable electronics. The development of new anode materials will improve the performance and capacity of the batteries. Metal oxide materials have recently been investigated as a new anode material to replace the traditional carbon anode used today. Metal oxides have a theoretical capacity nearly twice that of carbon, making them an attractive choice for anode materials. In this study nickel-copper oxide/carbon composite materials were prepared using an in-situ spray pyrolysis technique. The materials were produced from a solution of nickel and copper acetates and citric acid as a carbon source. The materials were characterized using XRD, SEM, and BET. The electrochemical properties of materials prepared at 550 degrees C showed the greatest performance with an initial discharge capacity of over 1400 mAh per g. The synthesis method was found to be well suited for the production of bulk quantities of powders. It was concluded that the produced material shows promise as a possible replacement anode material for carbon if a higher reversible capacity can be achieved. 4 refs., 2 figs.