Electrospun CuFe2O4 nanotubes as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Herein, we report on the synthesis and lithium storage properties of electrospun one-dimensional (1D) CuFe2O4 nanomaterials. 1D CuFe2O4 nanotubes and nanorods were fabricated by a single spinneret electrospinning method followed by thermal decomposition for removal of polymers from the precursor fibers. The as-prepared CuFe2O4 nanotubes with wall thickness of ~50 nm presented diameters of ·~150 nm and lengths up to several millimeters. It was found that phase separation between the electrospun composite materials occured during the electrospinning process, while the as-spun precursor nanofibers composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and metal salts might possess a core-shell structure (PAN as the core and PVP/metal salts composite as the shell) and then transformed to a hollow structure after calcination. Moreover, as a demonstration of the functional properties of the 1D nanostructure, CuFe2O4 nanotubes and nanorods were investigated as anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). It was demonstrated that CuFe2O4 nanotubes not only delivered a high reversible capacity of ~816 mAh·g−1 at a current density of 200 mA·g−1 over 50 cycles, but also showed superior rate capability with respect to counterpart nanorods. Probably, the enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to its high specific surface areas as well as the unique hollow structure.