Hierarchically porous nanoflowers from TiO2-B nanosheets with ultrahigh surface area for advanced lithium-ion batteries

In this work, hierarchically porous TiO2-B nanoflowers have been successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal method followed by calcination treatment. The TiO2-B nanoflowers are constructed by thin nanosheets, presenting ultrahigh specific surface area, up to 214.6 m(2) g(-1). As anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the TiO2-B sample shows high reversible capacity, excellent cycling performance and superior rate capability. The specific capacity of TiO2-B could remain over 285 mA h g(-1) at 1 C and 181 mA h g(-1) at 10 C rate after 100 cycles. We believe that the pseudocapacitive mechanism, ultrahigh surface area and scrupulous nanoarchitecture of the TiO2-B are responsible for the enhancement of electrochemical properties. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.