Structural characterization of titanate nanotubes for lithium storage

Titanate nanotubes were synthesized by hydrothermal method using various TiO2 precursors as starting materials. The electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetric methods. The microstructure and morphology of the synthesized powders were characterized by XRD, TEM. Titanate nanotubes composed of H2Ti2O5 x H2O with outer and inner diameter of approximately 10 nm and 6 nm, and the interlayer spacing was about 0.65 approximately 0.74 nm. Also, the titanate nanotubes showed a discharge capacity of 303 mAh/g and the highest cycle stability because of the open-end and rolled layers with suitable spacing. The relationships between morphology and electrochemical properties have been also discussed.