Facile synthesis of Cu₂O nanorod arrays on Cu foam as a self-supporting anode material for lithium ion batteries

In the present work, we have successfully fabricated three-dimensional Cu₂O nanorod arrays on Cu foam by an efficient solvothermal approach followed by a post-annealing treatment with using PVP as a reducing agent. These materials were further investigated as binder- and conductive-agent-free anodes for lithium-ion batteries. It was found that the Cu₂O nanorod arrays on Cu foam exhibited excellent cycle performance with negligible capacity fading, high reversible capacity, and superior rate capability compared with commercial Cu₂O nanoparticles. - Graphical abstract: Cu₂O nanorod arrays on Cu foam exhibited excellent cycling stability with negligible capacity fading. - Highlights: • Cu₂O nanorod arrays on Cu foam have been synthesized via a hydrothermal method. • This material was used as a binder-free anode material for lithium-ion battery. • This material exhibited excellent cycling performance with negligible capacity fading.