Electrospun TiO2/C Nanofibers As a High-Capacity and Cycle-Stable Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Nanosized TiO2 is now actively developed as a low-cost and potentially high capacity anode material of Na-ion batteries, but its poor capacity utilization and insufficient cyclability remains an obstacle for battery applications. To overcome these drawbacks, we synthesized electrospun TiO2/C nanofibers, where anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with a diameter of similar to 12 nm were densely embedded in the conductive carbon fibers, thus preventing them from aggregating and attacking by electrolyte. Due to its abundant active surfaces of well-dispersed TiO2 nanocrytals and high electronic conductivity of the carbon matrix, the TiO2/C anode shows a high redox capacity of similar to 302.4 mA h g(-1) and a high-rate capability of 164.9 mAh g(-1). at a very high current of 2000 mA g(-1). More significantly, this TiO2/C anode can be cycled with nearly 100% capacity retention over 1000 cycles, showing a sufficiently long cycle life for battery applications. The nanofibrous architecture of the TiO2/C composite and its superior electrochemical performance may provide new insights for development of better host materials for practical Na-ion batteries.