TiO2 as an active or supplemental material for lithium batteries

TiO2 has received significant research interest as an anode material for lithium ion batteries due to its robustness and safe operation. However, poor rate capabilities limit its practical use. Various strategies have been explored to address this issue by improving the electronic conductivity and enhancing the Li ion kinetics. Especially, surface facet control, doping and surface treatment of TiO2 enable significant improvement in kinetics associated with the electron and the Li ion without employing other foreign materials. Recent reports show that the unique physicochemical properties and well established technologies on engineering of TiO2 properties have opened up further possibilities in the next generation Li batteries and advanced Li ion batteries as a supplemental material. This review discusses recent scientific and technological advances in (i) the improvement in rate capabilities of TiO2 anodes from the engineering of their structural or electronic properties (ii) TiO2 as a supplemental material in Li-S and Li-O-2 batteries and advanced Li ion batteries. In addition to highlighting recent progress, the limitations and challenges of TiO2 for Li ion batteries and next generation Li batteries have also been discussed.