Lithium ion batteries (LIB) represent one of the most important and advanced technologies among rechargeable batteries due to their high energy density and low environmental issues. Anatase TiO2 is one of most promising and investigated anode materials for LIB because of its low cost, easy availability and environmental friendliness. Moreover, TiO2 takes the advantages of high theoretical capacity (335 mA h g-1), flat operating potential, and low volume expansion during lithium intercalation/deintercalation leading to long cycle life and durability. Here we report a simple hydrolysis method for facile synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) uniformly coated with porous TiO2. The TiO2/CNTs hybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrophotometry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Its electrochemical properties as an anode material for LIBs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic discharge/charge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the porous anatase TiO2 nanoparticles uniformly coat on the CNTs conducting network, which leads to remarkably improved electrochemical performances such as exceptional cycling stability, good high rate durability and reduced resistance. Specifically, a reversible capacity as high as 200 mA h g-1 is achieved at a current density of 0.1 A g-1 with a good capacity retention of 187 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles and a Coulombic efficiency close to 100%. This hybrid material exhibits excellent durability after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 1.6 A g-1. Such superior Li+ storage properties and cycling durability demonstrate the reinforced synergistic effects between the porous TiO2 and the interweaved CNTs network, indicating a great application potential for such hybrid materials in the high power LIBs.

TiO2 conformal coating on carbon nanotubes as lithium-ion battery anode

249th National Meeting (2015)

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