Is TiO₂ (B) the Future of Titanium-Based Battery Materials?

Titania materials are gaining interest as negative electrode materials in Li-ion batteries due to their high power capability and enhanced safety. Today, Li₄ Ti₅ O₁₂ is the material of choice for commercial batteries, but other titania materials, namely polymorphs of TiO₂ , are being explored because of their similar electrochemical behavior and higher theoretical specific charge capacity. In practice, the specific charge capacity of TiO₂ remains far below the theoretical value of 336 mA h g^-1 due to poor electrical conductivity and slow Li-ion mobility. This Minireview describes the main strategies developed to overcome the limitations of TiO₂ polymorphs. Special attention is given to TiO₂ (B) since its outstanding Li-ion mobility, the highest mobility among all TiO₂ polymorphs, has led to superior electrochemical performance. Finally, the potential of titania materials in sodium-ion batteries is also discussed.