Facile synthesis of cupric hydroxide and cupric oxide on copper foil for potential electrochemical applications

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis of cupric hydroxide [Cu(OH)2] and cupric oxide (CuO) via a simple in situ oxidation of copper (Cu) foil in alkaline solution for electrode materials in pseudocapacitors. Cu(OH)2 and Cu(OH)2/CuO film grown on Cu substrate offer binderless and additive-free active materials directly in contact with the current collector. This approach allows more efficient interaction of electrolyte and the active material in terms of charge and mass exchange for higher capacitance. The Cu-based nanomaterials have uniform morphology, and are needle-like and flower-like in structure for Cu(OH)2 and Cu(OH)2/CuO, respectively. The fabricated nanostructures exhibit a specific capacitance in the range of 400-2000 F/g.