Scalable synthesis of TiO2/graphene nanostructured composite with high-rate performance for lithium ion batteries

A simple and scalable method is developed to synthesize TiO(2)/graphene nanostructured composites as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries using hydroxyl titanium oxalate (HTO) as the intermediate for TiO(2). With assistance of a surfactant, amorphous HTO can condense as a flower-like nanostructure on graphene oxide (GO) sheets. By calcination, the HTO/GO nanocomposite can be converted to TiO(2)/graphene nanocomposite with well preserved flower-like nanostructure. In the composite, TiO(2) nanoparticles with an ultrasmall size of several nanometers construct the porous flower-like nanostructure which strongly attached onto conductive graphene nanosheets. The TiO(2)/graphene nanocomposite is able to deliver a capacity of 230 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C (corresponding to a current density of 17 mA g(-1)), and demonstrates superior high-rate charge-discharge capability and cycling stability at charge/discharge rates up to 50 C in a half cell configuration. Full cell measurement using the TiO(2)/graphene as the anode material and spinel LiMnO(2) as the cathode material exhibit good high-rate performance and cycling stability, indicating that the TiO(2)/graphene nanocomposite has a practical application potential in advanced Li-ion batteries.