CuGeO3 nanowires covered with graphene as anode materials of lithium ion batteries with enhanced reversible capacity and cyclic performance

A facile one-step route was developed to synthesize crystalline CuGeO3 nanowire/graphene composites (CGCs). Crystalline CuGeO3 nanowires were tightly covered and anchored by graphene sheets, forming a layered structure. Subsequently, CGCs were exploited as electrode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The reversible formation of Li2O buffer layer and elastic graphene sheets accommodated the volume change during the charge and discharge processes. CGC containing 37 wt% graphene exhibited a superior electrochemical performance, that is, a remarkable reversible capacity (1265 mA h g−1 for the first cycle), an outstanding cyclic performance (853 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles under a current density of 200 mA g−1), a high coulombic efficiency, and an excellent rate capability. Clearly, CGCs may stand out as a promising anode material for LIBs.