Fabrication of a graphene-cuprous oxide composite

A composite of graphene-cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) was prepared using copper acetate-adsorbed graphene oxide (GO) sheets as precursors. In this composite, in-situ formed Cu₂O particles were derived from the adsorbed copper acetate which attached to graphene sheets and prevented the aggregation of the reduced graphene oxide sheets. The as-synthesized Cu₂O crystals were cube-like particles distributed randomly on the sheets due to the template effect of GO, consequently forming a graphene-Cu₂O cubes composite. A preliminary study on the electrochemical behavior of the graphene-Cu₂O composite used as anode material for lithium ion batteries was carried out.