Thin copper oxide nanowires/carbon nanotubes interpenetrating networks for lithium ion batteries

Thin CuO nanowires with a diameter of 7 ± 3 nm, aspect ratio up to 103–104 and specific surface area of 51.08 m2 g−1 were synthesized by shape-reserved transformation from the corresponding thin copper hydroxide nanowires (CHNs) under an appropriate temperature. A topotactic transition of the crystal structure between Cu(OH)2 and CuO occurred. CdO nanowires were also successfully prepared by this synthetic method. Subsequently, thin CuO nanowires/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) interpenetrating networks were prepared from preformed Cu(OH)2 nanowire/CNT interpenetrating networks and these demonstrated a much higher electrochemical performance than that of pure CuO nanowires for lithium ion batteries. When the CNTs were 33.3 wt% of the CuO nanowires/CNTs interpenetrating networks, they gave the best electrochemical performance, including high capacitance as well as good stability.