A stable TiO2-graphene nanocomposite anode with high rate capability for lithium-ion batteries

A rapid microwave hydrothermal process is adopted for the synthesis of titanium dioxide and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries. With the assistance of hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent, graphene oxide was reduced while TiO(2)nanoparticles were grownin situon the nanosheets to obtain the nanocomposite material. The morphology of the nanocomposite obtained consisted of TiO(2)particles with a size of similar to 100 nm, uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. The as-prepared TiO2-graphene nanocomposite was able to deliver a capacity of 250 mA h g(-1)+/- 5% at 0.2C for more than 200 cycles with remarkably stable cycle life during the Li(+)insertion/extraction process. In terms of high rate capability performance, the nanocomposite delivered discharge capacity ofca.100 mA h g(-1)with >99% coulombic efficiency at C-rates of up to 20C. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the material in terms of high rate capability and cycling stability indicates that the as-developed TiO2-rGO nanocomposites are promising electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries.