Electrochemical Properties of Nanostructured Al1 − xCux Alloys as Anode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The key challenge to use metallic alloys as anodes in rechargeable lithium batteries is to improve their cycling ability without compromising their high specific capacity. We suggest that an important parameter controlling these two properties is the magnitude of interaction between the active and the inactive components in the alloy system. We demonstrated these ideas on the Al–Cu system by investigating the structure and electrochemical properties of sputtered thin-film alloys. The optimum composition is determined to be Cu. A specific capacity of has been obtained for nanostructured with capacity retention of after . The formation of a supersaturated solid solution structure is also suggested to enhance the electrochemical performance.