A three-dimensional tin-coated nanoporous copper for lithium-ion battery anodes

Nanoporous copper (NPC), as a new kind of porous metal prepared by dealloying, is introduced into the lithium-ion battery as both the current collector and substrate of active material. The nanoporous copper has three-dimensional structure composed of large channels (hundreds of nanometers) and small pores (tens of nanometers) on the channel walls. Anodes were prepared by electroless depositing of a thin layer of tin on NPC and copper foil. By comparing the electrochemical performance of both electrodes, the nanostructured electrode exhibits much higher areal capacity and better Coulombic efficiency than planar electrode.