Polymorphism-induced catalysis difference of TiO2 nanofibers for rechargeable Li-O-2 batteries

The polymorphic change of TiO2 nanofiber catalysts from anatase to rutile enabled Li-O-2 cells to have higher round-trip efficiency and lower overpotential followed by a better cyclic retention. This is due to enhanced catalytic activity probably associated with the smaller Li+ chemisorption energy and band gap of the rutile phase compared with the anatase phase.