title: Synthesis of cuprous oxide nanocomposite electrodes by room-temperature chemical partial reduction.
abstract: We demonstrate a template-free synthetic approach for the preparation of a highly conductive Cu/Cu(2)O nanocomposite electrode by a chemical reduction process. Cu(2)O octahedra were prepared through chemical dehydrogenation of as-synthesized Cu(OH)(2) nanowire precursors. To provide a sufficiently electron-conducting network, the Cu(2)O particles were transformed into Cu/Cu(2)O nanocomposites by an intentional reduction process. The Cu/Cu(2)O nanocomposite electrodes showed enhanced cycling performance compared to Cu(2)O particles. Furthermore, their rate capabilities were superior to those of their mechanically mixed Cu/Cu(2)O counterparts. This enhanced electrochemical performance of the hybrid Cu/Cu(2)O nanocomposites was ascribed to the formation of homogeneous nanostructures, offering an efficient electron-transport path provided by the presence of highly dispersed Cu nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Ajou University, Woncheon-dong, San 5, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 443-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seung-Deok
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Yun-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun-Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Du-Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Wan
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim