Novel assembly and electrochemical properties of anatase TiO2-graphene aerogel 3D hybrids as lithium-ion battery anodes

Abstract

TiO2-graphene aerogel (TiO2-GA) 3D hybrids were directly assembled via a one-pot hydrothermal process followed by freeze-drying without using any structure-directing agent. The hybrids with a hierarchical structure exhibited large surface area (SBET=283.6m2g−1) and high pore volume (Vp=0.278cm3g−1), in which the ultradispersed TiO2 nanoparticles were in a single crystal phase of anatase. When used as the anodes for lithium ion battery, the TiO2-GA hybrids exhibited higher reversible capacity, more stable cycling performance and better rate-capability than TiO2 ascribed to the unique 3D nanoporous structure and the synergistic interaction of GA and TiO2.