A small molecule organic compound applied as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries

We choose copper(ii) ions to salinize maleic acid, then form a layered copper maleate hydrate and apply this as an anode material for LIBs for the first time. The as-prepared material exhibits admirable electrochemical performance (404.6 mA h g(-1) at 0.2 A g(-1)). A new hypothesis is developed for a better understanding of the unusual in situ XRD results and reaction mechanism.