Multi-Scale Porous Copper Foam Current Collector for High Performance Lithium Ion Battery

Abstract

A low-cost and scalable ultrasonic method was developed to prepare metal copper foam with multi-scale pores ranging from micrometers to nanometers with the assistance of ammonia etching agent. The preparation parameters, such as ultrasonic duration and concentration of etching agent, were investigated and optimized carefully. The morphology of the as-prepared copper foam was characterized by scanning electronic microscope. Pore size distribution was measured using mercury intrusion porosimetry method. The multi-scale porous copper foam was used as current collector in lithium ion battery to investigate the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of batteries in comparison with the batteries made from microporous copper foam and copper foil. The results showed that the multi-scale porous copper foam current collector has a positive effect on the improvement of electrode capacity and cycling stability under high charge/discharge rates.