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Self‐Templated Synthesis of Cuprous Oxide Nanofiber‐Assembled Hollow Spheres for High‐Performance Electrochemical Energy Storage
Author(s) -
Xu Panpan,
Wang Guiling,
Miao Chenxu,
Zhang Hongquan,
Cheng Kui,
Ye Ke,
Zhu Kai,
Yan Jun,
Cao Dianxue,
Zhang Xianfa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201800150
Subject(s) - materials science , supercapacitor , electrolyte , electrode , electrochemistry , power density , chemical engineering , capacitance , nanofiber , porosity , oxide , nanotechnology , current density , specific surface area , anode , ion , composite material , catalysis , chemistry , power (physics) , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , metallurgy
Hollow structures are considered as promising electrode materials. Their enhanced surface‐to‐volume ratio results in an increased contact area between the electrolyte and electrode and, thereby, a higher accessibility of active material. Here, a facile hydrothermal method is applied to synthesize hollow Cu 2 O spheres, assembled by well‐aligned nanofibers. Based on the investigation of the samples at different reaction times, a growing mechanism is proposed. Nano building‐blocks create porous channels within the shell, which could facilitate the transfer and shorten the transportation pathway for both ions and charge. The Cu 2 O with its unique structure displays a high specific capacitance of 1075 F g −1 at a current density of 5 mA cm −2 , a remarkable rate capability of 82 %, and an excellent cycling property of nearly 100 % of the initial value remaining after 5000 charge‐discharge cycles. Moreover, the hollow Cu 2 O spheres are first used for the preparation of a positive electrode in an asymmetric supercapacitor, using carbon as a negative electrode. The device exhibits a high energy density of 44.7 Wh kg −1 at a power density of 420.2 W kg −1 , and when the power density reaches values as high as 4201.7 W kg −1 , an energy density of 16 Wh kg −1 is still attained.