Synthesis of Flower-like Cu3 [MoO4 ]2 O from Cu3 (MoO4 )2 (OH)2 and Its Application for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Structure-Electrochemical Property Relationships

What is it about?

Flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres has been synthesized by a sequential process from lindgrenite (Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2). The lindgrenite (Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2) nanoflowers were synthesized by a simpler possible route by aqueous chemical precipitation technique at room temperature without using any surfactants and templet. Subsequently, the 3D flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres have been synthesized by annealing at 300 °C for 2 h from lindgrenite (Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2). From the XRD pattern, FT-IR spectrum, SEM and TEM analysis, flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O (~5 μm) microspheres which were assembled from 3~4 nm thick nanosheets having an orthorhombic structure has been indicated. Application of 3D flower-like microspheres as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been investigated and the possible electrochemical mechanism is analyzed. Electrochemical characterization of Cu3[MoO4]2O nanoflower as an anode material for LIBs has exhibited good cycle stability and higher coulombic efficiency during the operations. The electrochemical activity as anode material for LIB was attributed from the unique structure of Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres, which provides more active sites for Li ions storage and reduced transfer resistance. This work has explored a simple synthesis strategy for the synthesis of flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres without templates, additives, or surfactants, which exhibited basis for not only high electrochemical performance in reversible Li storage but also cycle stability.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Industrial grade flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O anode material for LIB can be synthesized through proposed route, which is both simple and cost efficient. Annealing of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflowers at 300 °C can produce Cu3[MoO4]2O anode material for LIB, which can be synthesized by a simple aqueous precipitation route at room temperature without using surfactants or templates from commonly available cheaper chemicals. The XRD pattern, FT-IR spectrum, SEM image and TEM images of synthesized Cu3[MoO4]2O powder indicated that flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres are of ~5 μm diameter size was assembled from 3~4 nm thick nanosheets with embedded in small domains or particles having an orthorhombic structure. From an application perspective, electrochemical characterization of Cu3[MoO4]2O nanoflower as an anode material for LIBs has exhibited good cycle stability and higher coulombic efficiency during the 20 cycles of operations. Crystal structure analysis, electrochemical activity analysis, and their one-to-one correspond to reduction potential values clearly explained the possible electrochemistry which has never been reported in the literature. The electrochemical activity as anode material for LIB was attributed from the unique structure of Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres, which provides more active sites for Li ions storage and reduced transfer resistance. This work provides a simple synthesis strategy to prepare the flower-like Cu3[MoO4]2O microspheres without templates, additives, or surfactants. It is expected that it could be extended to synthesize the flower-like molybdenum oxide-based material for promising anode material.

Perspectives