Synthesis of TiN nanostructures by Mg-assisted nitriding TiO2 in N2 for lithium ion storage

Abstract

Titanium nitride (TiN) has been attracting increasing interest as an anode material for electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems due to its superior thermal stability, electrical conductivity and chemical durability. The most commonly used strategy to synthesize TiN nanostructures is nitriding TiO2 nanostructures using ammonia gas as the nitrogen source, and thus is not environmental friendly. Herein, we report an ammonia-free strategy to synthesize TiN nanomaterials using TiO2 precursors via a magnesium-assisted nitriding reaction using nitrogen gas (N2) as the nitrogen source. Systematical studies were conducted to reveal the mechanism of magnesium-assisted nitriding process in constructing TiN nanostructures under N2 atmosphere. The as-synthesized TiN NRs were directly used as the anodes for lithium ion batteries and delivered an excellent reversible capacity of 710 mAh g−1 at the current density of 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. In addition, the TiN NRs also exhibited excellent cycling stability and rate capability. Our work provides a low cost, environmental friendly and reliable strategy to synthesize TiN materials from TiO2 by using N2 as the nitrogen source, which may facilitate the practical applications of TiN materials in electrochemical/photo-electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems.