Nano-hollow Spheres Research Articles

A novel conjugated microporous polymer nano hollow sphere containing N, P and Si flame retardant elements with both thermal insulation and flame retardant properties

It is particularly important to develop new materials with both thermal insulation and flame retardant properties for addressing the severe issues caused by fire accidents. Herein, a kind of conjugated microporous polymer nanospheres with hollow structure (HCMPNS) was synthesized by Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction using SiO2 nanospheres as hard template and 1,3,5-triacetylenebenzene, as alkynyl monomer. Then, HCMPNS was chemically graft-modified with azidotrimethylsilane (TMSA) by "click" chemistry (HCMPNS-FRSi), and the HCMPNS-FRSi obtained from the reaction was introduced into flammable epoxy resin (EP) to obtain EP based composites, i.e. EP-Ⅰ and EP-Ⅱ. The thermal conductivities were found to be 0.0341 W m−1 K−1 and 0.0268 W m−1 K−1 for EP-Ⅰ and EP-Ⅱ, respectively, showing excellent thermal insulation performance. The total heat release (THR), the total smoke production (TSP) and the peak CO2 produced (CO2P) of EP-Ⅰ were reduced by 18.0 %, 8.0 %, 14.3 % compared with pure EP as measured by cone calorimetry (CC), respectively, indicating a certain extent flame retardant effect. In order to further improve its flame retardant properties, phosphoric acid containing the flame retardant phosphorus element was added to HCMPNS-FRSi (HCMPNS-FRSi-P), followed by the introduction of the resulting HCMPNS-FRSi-P into EP matrix to form EP based composites with Si and P dual incorporation (EP-III and EP-IV), with the thermal conductivities of 0.0470 W m−1 K−1 and 0.0855 W m−1 K−1, respectively. Through the cone calorimetry (CC) of EP-III, EP-IV, total heat release (THR) were reduced by 17.0 %, 23.8 %, total smoke production (TSP) were reduced by 6.2 %, 7.2 %, respectively. The peak heat release rate (HRR) and the peak CO2 produced (CO2P) of EP-Ⅳ were reduced by 16 % and 25 %, respectively, compared with pure EP. It has good thermal insulation and flame retardant effect. Therefore, HCMPNS-FRSi-P, as a new type of flame retardant material, has great potential in the fields of electronics, construction, transportation and so on.

Enhanced microwave absorption in GaFeO3 coated CoFe2O4 nano-hollowsphere

As a multiferroic material with substantial magnetoelectric coupling, gallium ferrite (GaFeO3, GFO) has been intensively studied in recent years. Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CFO) nano-hollowsphere (NHS), on the other hand, is found to be an efficient material for electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption. In this work, a composite consisting of magnetostrictive CFO NHS coated with GFO nanoparticles [(1−x)CoFe2O4 – xGaFeO3, for x = 0.0, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, 0.3, and 1.0] is prepared as an effective strategy to develop highly efficient microwave material. The EM wave absorption properties of the samples are thoroughly investigated across a widely used frequency range of 1–20 GHz. Remarkable performance of the x = 0.7 composite is evident by its effective bandwidth of approximately 3 GHz and a minimum reflection loss of approximately −63.26 dB. Moreover, the excellent impedance matching, with |Zin/Z0| ≅ 1.00, observed in the aforementioned composite, satisfies well with the required characteristics for a superior microwave absorber. Therefore, a core–shell nanostructure consisting of CFO NHS as core and GFO with optimized shell thickness can be used successfully in microwave devices.

Hollow Porous Cu2S Nano-Spheres as High-Rate Magnesium Battery Cathode

The magnesium ion batteries are gaining huge attention in the field of battery energy due to high energy density, low cost potential and high safety performance. So far, the research of magnesium ion batteries has been slow. The surface and structural properties of cathode electrode materials greatly limiting the discharge performance of magnesium ion battery. Herein, a facile synthesis of Cu2S nano-hollow spheres for high performance magnesium ion battery cathode electrode materials was reported. This nano-hollow spheres have a large specific surface area (12.84 m2 g−1) which can reduce the volume expansion caused by magnesium ions during embedding and detachment, and facilitate ion diffusion during the discharge-charging process. Consequently, the nano-hollow porous Cu2S deliver a 152 mAh g−1 after 850 cycles at 560 mA g−1 hold a long-term cycling stability as cathode materials for magnesium ion battery. This work not only demonstrates the great potential of NHP-Cu2S materials, for application in magnesium ion batteries, but also sheds a new light on the application of metal sulfides in magnesium ion batteries.

Elemental mercury removal by adsorbent CuO-modified MnO2 nano-hollow spheres: performance, kinetics, and mechanism

Elemental mercury removal by adsorbent CuO-modified MnO2 nano-hollow spheres: performance, kinetics, and mechanism

Morphology dependent negative dielectric permittivity in spinel ferrite nanostructures

Metamaterials with negative dielectric permittivity has become a research hotspot due to their potential efficacy in various electromagnetic utilizations, such as, filter and antenna design, novel capacitance and inductor design, electromagnetic absorber etc. This study unfurls immense possibilities of inducing metamaterial properties such as negative dielectric permittivity in Magnesium Ferrite, a naturally occurring compound, just by restructuring the morphology. Herein, we report the correlation between structural, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the system in the same chemical composition but different morphologies, namely, nano solid spheres (NSSs) and nano hollow spheres (NHSs). Strikingly, only NHSs show negative dielectric permittivity owing to the Lorentz dielectric resonance in the vicinity of a metamagnetic transition. Further investigations show that the hollow cores and greater number of interfaces in NHSs, in comparison to NSSs, cause the uncompensated charges to accumulate within them and release at some frequencies and temperatures, leading to the backscattering of dipoles, which in turn induces the resonance. NSSs with stronger anti-ferromagnetic interaction and impermeable morphology do not show any sign of negative dielectric permittivity.

Nano hollow carbon regulated by carbon dots as a high-performance anode for potassium and sodium ion battery

In this paper, carbon dots (CDs) derived from citrus peel were used as regulators to adjust the size of template SiO2 and further prepare hollow carbon spheres with different diameter. During the synthesis process of SiO2 templates, the abundant surface functional groups of CDs interact strongly with the functional groups (hydroxyl groups, etc.) possessed by silicic acid and TEOS, thereby inhibiting the growth of SiO2 spheres. By changing the content of CDs added, the size of the SiO2 template changes accordingly. A series of nano-hollow carbon spheres were prepared through high-temperature treatment of as-obtained SiO2 spheres coated with PDA and then acid washing. Among them, HCN-60 with optimized size and hollow structure exhibited excellent potassium/sodium storage performance. This research provides a new idea for the rational design of high-performance carbon anodes.

Optimization of Magnetic Coating for Improved Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in Bi-Layered Nano-Hollow Spheres

Optimization of Magnetic Coating for Improved Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in Bi-Layered Nano-Hollow Spheres

Nanostructural evolution of hydrothermally grown SrTiO3 perovskite and its implementation in gaseous phase detection of ethanol

A group of SrTiO3 nanostructures with unique nano-architecture have been synthesized in the current study. Sol–gel derived TiO2 nanoparticles along with Sr(OH)2 solution was processed with facial hydrothermal reaction at 180 °C and highly stable and distinct morphologies of SrTiO3 were developed after different reaction time. Nanobush, nanograss, nanorod and nanosphere morphologies were created after 10, 14, 18 and 24 h of hydrothermal reaction. SrTiO3 nanosphere was transformed into nano-hollow sphere morphology after thermal annealing at 600 °C. Detailed morphological, structural and chemical characterizations were carried out for all the distinct nanoforms of SrTiO3 where they exhibited high crystallinity, and chemical stability along with excellent surface properties like high porosity, roughness, and large effective surface area. Due to having rich surface properties, all the SrTiO3 morphologies were then implemented for gaseous phase detection of multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, all the SrTiO3 nanoforms showed ethanol selective behavior among all the VOCs. Nanograss and nano-hollow spheres exhibited excellent ethanol sensing with 69 and 78 response values (R v/R a) in 50 ppm ethanol at 150 °C with appreciably fast response/recovery times of 36 s/34 s and 150 s/ 58 s, respectively. Additionally, all the SrTiO3 nanostructures exhibited anti-humidity characteristics and potential sensing in humid ambient (up to 80% RH). Later, the ethanol selective behavior of SrTiO3 was established by density functional theory simulations which envisaged the highest negative adsorption energy and smallest distance (r) for ethanol molecule, implying stable adsorption with SrTiO3 (110) system.

Load and release of gambogic acid via dual-target ellipsoidal-Fe3O4@SiO2@mSiO2-C18@dopamine hydrochloride -graphene quantum dots-folic acid and its inhibition to VX2 tumor cells

Ellipsoidal-Fe3O4@SiO2@mSiO2-C18@dopamine hydrochloride-graphene quantum dots-folic acid (ellipsoidal-HMNPs@PDA-GQDs-FA), a dual-functional drug carrier, was stepwise constructed. The α-Fe2O3 ellipsoidal nanoparticles were prepared by a hydrothermal method, and then coated with SiO2 by Stöber method. The resulting core–shell structure, Fe3O4@SiO2@mSiO2-C18 magnetic nano hollow spheres, abbreviated as HMNPs, was finally grafted with graphene quantum dots (GQDs), dopamine hydrochloride (PDA) and folic acid (FA) by amide reaction to obtain HMNPs@PDA-GQDs-FA. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and element analysis proved the successful construction of the HMNPs@PDA-GQDs-FA nanoscale carrier-cargo composite. The carrier HMNPs@PDA-GQDs-FA has higher load (51.63 ± 1.53%) and release (38.56 ± 1.95%) capacity for gambogic acid (GA). Cytotoxicity test showed that the cell survival rate was above 95%, suggesting the cytotoxicity of the carrier-cargo was very low. The cell lethality (74.91 ± 1.2%) is greatly improved after loading GA because of the magnetic targeting of HMNPs, the targeting performance of FA to tumor cells, and the pH response to the surrounding environment of tumor cells of PDA. All results showed that HMNPs@PDA-GQDs-FA had good biocompatibility and could be used in the treatment of VX2 tumor cells after loading GA.

Preparation of nano-hollow sphere hydrolytic catalyst and study on its COS removal performance

Preparation of nano-hollow sphere hydrolytic catalyst and study on its COS removal performance

Magnetic field stimulated dielectric, electronic and thermal properties of magnetite nano-hollow spheres based magnetorheological fluids

We present a combination of dielectric and thermal conduction properties of magnetorheological (MR) fluids with Fe3O4 nano-hollow spheres (NHSs). The formation of microstructures in presence of a magnetic field by the suspended NHSs in the base fluids determines the dielectric relaxation and electrical conduction process, depending on the viscosity of the base fluids. We observe a prominent magneto-dielectric effect and an excellent improvement in the electrical conductivity due to chain formation in presence of a magnetic field in the MR fluids. Our thermal conduction experiments establish that not only the heat flow can be improved with the addition of magnetite NHSs in the base fluids, but the direction of heat flow can also be controlled with the orientation of the external magnetic field.

Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption by Bi-Layered Nano-Hollow Spheres

To cope with the increasingly serious microwave radiation pollution, an extensive search for efficient microwave absorption materials (MAMs) has attracted great attention recently. Herein, a thin layer of SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> with high dielectric permittivity on the surfaces of MnFe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> (MnFO) nano-hollow spheres (NHSs) is found to be an effective strategy to improve electromagnetic (EM) wave attenuation for a larger reflection loss (RL) along with a larger bandwidth (BW) within a widely used frequency range. Larger interfacial area, higher magnetic anisotropy, internal reflections, and scattering from NHS along with higher magnetic permeability of MnFO are responsible for superior absorption properties of MnFO NHS. The MnFO (~550 nm)/SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> (~35 nm) bi-layered NHS results in a sufficiently high RL ~ −61.02 dB with a composite absorber of a thickness of only 4.40 mm and filler concentration of 20%. The above study on the variation of SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> thickness over MnFO NHSs helps us to optimize for maximum BW and absorption with minimum composite absorber thickness. This study demonstrates the optimized MnFO/SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> NHS as a highly promising low-cost and lightweight EM wave absorber suitable for high-frequency applications.

Synthesis of Magnetic Fe3O4 Nano Hollow Spheres for Industrial TNT Wastewater Treatment.

The aim of the present work was to synthesize magnetite (Fe3O4) nano hollow spheres (NHS) via simple, one-pot, template-free, hydrothermal method. The structural, morphological, and surface analysis of Fe3O4 NHS were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and burner-Emmett-teller (BET). The as obtained magnetic (Fe3O4) NHS were used as an adsorbent for treating industrial trinitrotoluene (TNT) wastewater to reduce its Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values. Adsorption capacity (Qe) of the NHS obtained is 70 mg/g, confirming the attractive forces present between adsorbent (Fe3O4 NHS) and adsorbate (TNT wastewater). COD value of TNT wastewater was reduced to >92% in 2 h at room temperature. The adsorption capacity of Fe3O4 NHS was observed as a function of time, initial concentration, pH, and temperature. The applied Fe3O4 NHS was recovered for reuse by simply manipulating its magnetic properties with slight shift in pH of the solution. A modest decrease in Qe (5.0–15.1%) was observed after each cycle. The novel Fe3O4 NHS could be an excellent candidate for treating wastewater generated by the intermediate processes during cyclonite, cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX), nitroglycerin (NG) production and other various environmental pollutants/species.

WS2\u2013WC\u2013WO3 nano-hollow spheres as an efficient and durable catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), transition metal carbides (TMCs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been widely investigated for electrocatalytic applications owing to their abundant active sites, high stability, good conductivity, and various other fascinating properties. Therefore, the synthesis of composites of TMDs, TMCs, and TMOs is a new avenue for the preparation of efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we propose a novel low-cost and facile method to prepare TMD–TMC–TMO nano-hollow spheres (WS2–WC–WO3 NH) as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The crystallinity, morphology, chemical bonding, and composition of the composite material were comprehensively investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres. Interestingly, the presence of nitrogen significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity of the hybrid material, facilitating electron transfer during the catalytic process. As a result, the WS2–WC–WO3 NH hybrid exhibited better HER performance than the pure WS2 nanoflowers, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the W–S, W–C, and W–O bonding in the composite. Remarkably, the Tafel slope of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres was 59 mV dec−1, which is significantly lower than that of the pure WS2 NFs (82 mV dec−1). The results also confirmed the unprecedented stability and superior electrocatalytic performance of the WS2–WC–WO3 NH spheres toward the HER, which opens new avenues for the preparation of low-cost and highly effective materials for energy conversion and storage applications.

Ceftizoxime loaded ZnO/l-cysteine based an advanced nanocarrier drug for growth inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium

l-Cysteine coated zinc oxide (ZnO) nano hollow spheres were prepared as a potent drug delivery agent to eradicate Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). The ZnO nano hollow spheres were synthesized by following the environmentally-friendly trisodium citrate assisted method and l-cysteine (L-Cys) conjugate with its surface. ZnO/L-Cys@CFX nanocarrier drug has been fabricated by incorporating ceftizoxime with L-Cys coated ZnO nano hollow spheres and characterized using different techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) etc. Furthermore, the drug-loading and encapsulation efficiency at different pH levels was measured using UV–vis spectrometer and optimized. A control and gradual manner of pH-sensitive release profile was found after investigating the release profile of CFX from the carrier drug. The antibacterial activity of ZnO/L-Cys@CFX and CFX were evaluated through the agar disc diffusion method and the broth dilution method, which indicate the antibacterial properties of antibiotics enhance after conjugating. Surprisingly, the ZnO/L-Cys@CFX exhibits a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 µg/ml against S. typhimurium is lower than CFX (20 µg/ml) itself. These results indicate the nanocarrier can reduce the amount of CFX dosed to eradicate S. typhimurium.

Multi-layered nano-hollow spheres for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

Ferrite nano-hollow spheres (NHS) are of great significance to improve electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance. Herein, the deposition of dielectric SiO2 and ferrimagnetic CoFe2O4 (CFO) layers on MnFe2O4 (MnFO) NHS are found as an effective strategy to enhance EM wave attenuation. EM wave absorption properties of as-synthesized bare and bi-layered samples are investigated within a widely-used frequency range of 1–17 GHz. MnFO@CFO bi-layered NHSs exhibit an excellent reflection loss (RL) of −47.0 dB at only 20 wt% filler content with an effective broad bandwidth (BW) of ∼2.2 GHz (frequency region for RL < −10 dB). The attenuation constant is observed to increase from 191.6 Np m−1 to 457.8 Np m−1 for bare MnFO and MnFO@CFO NHSs respectively. Larger interfacial area, additional pairs of dipole, higher magnetic anisotropy, internal reflections and scattering from NHSs are responsible for superior absorption properties of MnFO@CFO NHSs. Moreover, the best impedance matching, ∣Z in /Z 0 ∣ ∼ 1, promotes the optimum RL in MnFO@CFO at 5.96 GHz. MnFO@SiO2 bi-layered NHSs result in a sufficiently high RL ∼ −30.0 dB with a composite absorber of a thickness of only 3 mm. Analysis from the λ/4 model for best matching thickness (t m ) displays a good agreement between experimental and simulated t m values. This study demonstrates optimized MnFO@CFO NHS as a highly promising low-cost and lightweight EM wave absorber suitable for practical high-frequency applications.

Electromagnetic wave attenuation properties of MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) nano-hollow spheres in search of an efficient microwave absorber

In search of light-weight, stable, cost-effective and efficient microwave absorbing material, here, we have investigated electromagnetic wave (EM) attenuation properties of transition metal based MFe2O4 [M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn] nano-hollow spheres in-detail within a widely-used frequency range of 1–20 GHz. The divalent cation, M2+ [M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn] substitution in Fe3O4 displays a clear enhancement of EM absorption properties compared to traditional magnetite where MnFe2O4 NHS is found to exhibit an optimal reflection loss (RL) of about − 32.7 dB, total shielding efficiency (SETotal) ~ −42 dB and a high attenuation constant (α) ~ 196 Np/m. Favorable impedance matching, significant dielectric and magnetic loss contribute to the enhancement in absorption properties. Interestingly, with increase in filler concentration (in epoxy resin matrix) from 0 wt% to 50 wt%, MnFe2O4 NHS shows a gradual increase in RL values and an excellent RL of about − 45.6 dB at thickness ~4.2 mm is obtained for 50 wt% composite with a total effective bandwidth (RL < −10 dB i.e. absorption >90%) of ~3.6 GHz. Moreover, analysis of quarter-wavelength model for best matching thickness (tm) displays a good agreement between experimental and simulated tm values. The overall results indicate that ferrites in the form of hollow structures are much more efficient than their bulk counterpart and optimized MnFe2O4 NHS is found to be most suitable for high-frequency applications as an efficient low-cost microwave absorber.

Enhancement of electromagnetic wave absorption in MnFe2O4 nano-hollow spheres

In order to obtain a light-weight, stable, and cost-effective yet efficient electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing material, here, we investigated EM wave attenuation properties of as-synthesized low-density MnFe2O4 nano-hollow spheres (NHS) in-detail, varying their sizes [mean diameter (in nm) of sample sets = 100, 220, 300, 450, and 550] within a widely used frequency range of 1–20 GHz. In addition to larger interfacial area and magnetic anisotropy of NHSs, multiple internal reflections in its hollow core promote better EM wave absorption. Therefore, tuning of NHS sizes is demonstrated as an effective strategy to achieve an excellent microwave absorber, and MnFe2O4 NHS of diameter ∼450 nm is found to exhibit a maximum reflection loss (RL) of approximately −52.6 dB, total shielding efficiency (SETotal) of approximately −39.5 dB, and a high attenuation constant (α) of ∼285 Np/m due to best impedance matching, |Zin/Z0| ∼ 1, along with significant dielectric and magnetic losses. Furthermore, a thickness-dependent study on 450 nm NHS composites reveals that optimum RL reached approximately −55.4 dB at 9.6 GHz for t = 5.1 mm with a broad total effective bandwidth (RL &amp;lt; −10 dB, i.e., attenuation &amp;gt;90%) of ∼3.7 GHz. Moreover, the analysis from the quarter-wavelength model for best matching thickness (tm) displays a good agreement between experimental and calculated tm values. This study presents optimized 450 nm MnFe2O4 NHS at much lower filler concentration (only 20 wt. % in the epoxy resin matrix) as a highly promising low-cost and light-weight microwave absorber suitable for practical high-frequency applications.

Electromagnetic Response of SiO₂@Fe₃O₄ Core–Shell Nanostructures in the THz Regime

Magnetite (Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> ) nanoparticles (NPs) of diameter 100 nm and nano-hollow spheres (NHSs) of diameter 100, 185, 250, 350, and 725 nm have been synthesized by a facile one-step template-free solvothermal technique. Silica (SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> ) coating on their surface has been carried out following the Stöber method. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscope images confirmed the phase and morphology of the nanostructures (NSs). Furthermore, we have investigated the terahertz (THz) wave absorption properties of SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> @Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> shell/shell NSs in the frequency range of 0.9-2.0 THz. Detailed morphology and size-dependent THz absorption study proves that these particles can be very useful as electromagnetic shielding devices.

High-rate and high conductivity mesoporous TiO2 nano hollow spheres: Synergetic effect of structure and oxygen vacancies

TiO2 is exceptionally useful anode material for Li-ion batteries, and the ability to modify TiO2 makes it a very attractive and challenging research object for use in different functional materials. In this paper, mesoporous TiO2 nano hollow spheres (dubbed TiO2-1 andTiO2-2) with moderate oxygen vacancies were successfully prepared. Structure and composition characterizations revealed that the spheres had a hollow structure, surface oxygen vacancies and an excellent Ti3+/Ti4+ molar ratio of 0.181. In addition, TiO2-2 demonstrated synergistic effects in terms of electron and lithium ion transportation, with impedances as low as 3.05 Ω, and its Li-ion diffusion coefficient (7.8 × 10−12 cm2 s−1) was at least a factor of 10 larger than that of TiO2-1(6.2 × 10−13 cm2 s−1). More importantly, experiments demonstrated that the well-balanced Li+/e− transportation arising from the synergetic effect between structure and Ti3+/oxygen vacancy in the optimal TiO2-2 sample had a high specific capacity of 233 mAh·g−1 at 0.1C, and 79.8% capacity retention after 100 cycles, as well as greatly enhanced rate performance and electrochemical reactivity and stability in comparison with the other TiO2. Our method for creating oxygen vacancies in TiO2 nano hollow spheres can be generalized to other electrochemical energy storage materials.