Electrochemical properties of anatase TiO 2 nanotubes as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Titanium oxides with a one-dimensional nanostructure are of great significance in electrochemical lithium insertion due to their high specific surface area and pore volume. In this paper, anatase TiO 2 nanotubes with diameters of about 10 nm and lengths of 200–400 nm were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The phase structure and morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties were investigated by constant current discharge–charge and cyclic voltammetry. There is a potential plateau at 1.73 and 1.88 V in the process of Li insertion and extraction, and the initial Li insertion/extraction capacity is 290 and 238 mAh g −1 at 36 mA g −1, respectively. The Li insertion capacity at the potential plateau of 1.73 V in the first cycle is about 150 mAh g −1. In the 20th cycle, the reversible capacity still remains at about 200 mAh g −1, and the coulombic efficiency is approximately 98%, exhibiting excellent cycling stability. The discharging capacity is about 168 mAh g −1 in the 30th cycle at 210 mA g −1, demonstrating a good high-rate performance. Anatase TiO 2 nanotubes might be a promising negative material for lithium-ion batteries.