The careful design of nano-architectures and smart hybridization of expected active materials can lead to more advanced properties. Here we have engineered a novel hierarchical branching Cu/Cu2O/CuO heteronanostructur...The careful design of nano-architectures and smart hybridization of expected active materials can lead to more advanced properties. Here we have engineered a novel hierarchical branching Cu/Cu2O/CuO heteronanostructure by combining a facile hydrothermal method and subsequent controlled oxidation process. The fine structure and epitaxial relationship between the branches and backbone are investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the evolution of the branch growth has also been observed during the gradual oxidation of the Cu nanowire surface. The experimental results suggest that the surface oxidation needs to be performed via a two-step exposure process to varying humidity in order to achieve optimized formation of a core-shell structured branching architecture. Finally, a proof-of-concept of the function of such a hierarchical framework as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated. The branching core-shell heterostructure improves battery performance by several means： （i） The epitaxially grown branches provide a high surface area for enhanced electrolyte accessibility and high resistance to volume change induced by Li^＋ intercalation/extraction; （ii） the core-shell structure with its well-defined heterojunction increases the contact area which facilitates effective charge transport during lithiation; （iii） the copper core acts as a current collector as well as providing structural reinforcement.展开更多
A Cu nanowire （NW）/cuprous oxide （Cu2O）-based semiconductor-liquid junction solar cell with a greatly enhanced efficiency and reduced cost was assembled. The Cu NWs function as a transparent electrode as well as p...A Cu nanowire （NW）/cuprous oxide （Cu2O）-based semiconductor-liquid junction solar cell with a greatly enhanced efficiency and reduced cost was assembled. The Cu NWs function as a transparent electrode as well as part of the Cu NWs/ Cu2O coaxial structures, which remarkably benefit the charge separation. The best solar cell reached a conversion efficiency as high as 1.92% under a simulated AM1.5G illumination, which is 106 times higher than that of cells based on fluorine-doped tin oxide and Cu2O.展开更多
基金We thank Prof. Mingbo Wu （State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum） for his help in experiments. This work was finandally supported by the Key Joint Foundation of PetroChina, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Nos. 51271215, U1362202, and 21106185） and the PetroChina Key Programs on Oil Refinery Catalysts （No. 2010E-1908 and 2010E-1903）.
文摘The careful design of nano-architectures and smart hybridization of expected active materials can lead to more advanced properties. Here we have engineered a novel hierarchical branching Cu/Cu2O/CuO heteronanostructure by combining a facile hydrothermal method and subsequent controlled oxidation process. The fine structure and epitaxial relationship between the branches and backbone are investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the evolution of the branch growth has also been observed during the gradual oxidation of the Cu nanowire surface. The experimental results suggest that the surface oxidation needs to be performed via a two-step exposure process to varying humidity in order to achieve optimized formation of a core-shell structured branching architecture. Finally, a proof-of-concept of the function of such a hierarchical framework as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries is demonstrated. The branching core-shell heterostructure improves battery performance by several means： （i） The epitaxially grown branches provide a high surface area for enhanced electrolyte accessibility and high resistance to volume change induced by Li^＋ intercalation/extraction; （ii） the core-shell structure with its well-defined heterojunction increases the contact area which facilitates effective charge transport during lithiation; （iii） the copper core acts as a current collector as well as providing structural reinforcement.
基金Acknowledgements This work was financially supported by the National Basic Research Program of China （No. 2012CB932303）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 61301036）, Shanghai Municipal Natural Science Foundation （Nos. 13ZR1463600 and 13XD1403900） and the Innovation Project of Shanghai Institute of Ceramics.
文摘A Cu nanowire （NW）/cuprous oxide （Cu2O）-based semiconductor-liquid junction solar cell with a greatly enhanced efficiency and reduced cost was assembled. The Cu NWs function as a transparent electrode as well as part of the Cu NWs/ Cu2O coaxial structures, which remarkably benefit the charge separation. The best solar cell reached a conversion efficiency as high as 1.92% under a simulated AM1.5G illumination, which is 106 times higher than that of cells based on fluorine-doped tin oxide and Cu2O.
