Figure 1

Comparison of two traditionally used methods and the new strategy of a Cu/LTO scaffold: (a) Illustration of the normal surfactant method to obtain nanomaterials with highly exposed planes. (b) Schematic representation of a commonly used electrode consisting of LTO particles, an electrolyte and a current collector. Four primary resistances are present in this electrode structure during the charging/discharging process: (1) ion transport in the electrolyte; (2) ion transport in the electrode; (3) electrochemical reactions in the electrode; and (4) electron conduction in the electrode and current collector. (c) Schematic illustration of a new ‘one stone, two birds’ strategy to fabricate a bicontinuous Cu/LTO electrode via a three-dimensional nanoporous Cu scaffold template route, where LTO NPs can be encapsulated into the Cu nanopores.