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.