Cu 2 O@TiO 2 core-shell nanocube composite as improved performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Uniform Cu2O nanocubes were large-scale synthesized through a liquid-phase reduction method. TiO2 was further coated onto Cu2O nanocubes to form Cu2O@TiO2 core-shell composite based on hydrolysis reaction of titanium isopropoxide. As-synthesized Cu2O@TiO2 were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. As anode materials for lithium ion batteries, Cu2O@TiO2 core-shell composite showed higher discharge capacity and more stable cycling performance than the uncoated Cu2O nanocubes, exhibiting the strong composition effect.