CuS is a metal sulfide anode material used in constructing lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with great promise. However, its practical application is limited by rapid capacity decline, poor cycling, and rate performance. In this work, the CuS nanowire-on-nanoplate network is synthesized through an improved dealloying method under two contrasting reaction temperatures. When used as an LIB anode, the as-obtained CuS network exhibits superior cycling performance (420 mAh·g⁻¹ retained after 100 cycles at 0.2 C). When at 3 C, it still delivers a capacity of around 350 mAh·g⁻¹. The improved electrochemical performances of the CuS anode should be attributed to the well-designed nanowire-on-nanoplate network structure in which the introduction of nanowires improves Li storage sites, shortens Li-ion diffusion distance, enhances the conductivity of active materials, and offers multiscale spaces for buffering the volume variation. The fabrication route adopted in this paper has an important significance for developing the dealloying technique and designing more suitable anode structures for LIBs.

Due to the severe volume expansion and poor cycle stability, transition metal oxide anode is still not meeting the commercial utilization. We herein demonstrate the synthetic method of core-shell pomegranate-shaped Fe2O3/C nano-composite via one-step hydrothermal process for the first time. The electrochemical performances were measured as anode material for Li-ion batteries. It exhibits excellent cycling performance, which sustains 705 mAh g−1 reversible capacities after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1. The anodes also showed good rate stability with discharge capacities of 480 mAh g−1 when cycling at a rate of 2000 mA g−1. The excellent Li storage properties can be attributed to the unique core-shell pomegranate structure, which can not only ensure good electrical conductivity for active Fe2O3, but also accommodate huge volume change during cycles as well as facilitate the fast diffusion of Li ion.

The development of facile preparation methods and novel three-dimensional structured anodes to improve cycling stability of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is urgently needed. Herein, a dual-network ferroferric oxide/nickel oxide (Fe₃O₄/NiO) anode was synthesized through a facile dealloying technology, which is suitable for commercial mass manufacturing. The dual-network with high specific surface area contains a nanoplate array network and a bimodal nanoporous urchin network. It exhibits excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for LIB, delivering a reversible capacity of 721 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. The good lithium storage performance is related to the ample porous structure, which can relieve stress and mitigate the volume change in the charge/discharge process, the interconnected porous network that enhances ionic mobility and permeability, and synergistic effects of two kinds of active materials. The paper provides a new idea for the design and preparation of anode materials with a novel porous structure by a dealloying method and may promote the development of the dealloying field.

A facile and industry-accepted dealloying method was used to synthesize Mn₃O₄ particles, which were then employed to prepare sulfur/Mn₃O₄ (S/Mn₃O₄) composites as cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries. The composites delivered initial discharge capacity reaching up 1184 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C with capacity retention of 679 mAh·g⁻¹ after 150 cycles. In addition, even at 2 C, the lithium/sulfur battery with S/Mn₃O₄ cathode delivered high reversible discharge capacity of 540 mAh g⁻¹, demonstrating excellent rate capability.