Layered titanate nanostructures and their derivatives as negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Ti-based materials have been intensively investigated and considered as good potential negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high safety, superior rate capability and excellent cyclic stability. This feature article summarizes the recent progress of a new class of layered titanate (H2TinO2n+1 center dot H2O) nanostructures and their derivatives, including TiO2 polymorphs, novel titanate nanostructures of Zn2Ti3O8, Li2MTi3O8 (M = Co, Zn, Mg) and Li4Ti5O12, as high performance negative electrode materials for LIBs. The effects of the composition, crystal structure and morphology on lithium-ion intercalation properties are highlighted and analyzed.