TiNb2O7 nanorods as a novel anode material for secondary lithium-ion batteries

TiNb2O7 nanorods have been successfully fabricated by a sol-gel method with a sodium dodecyl surfate (SDS) surfactant. X-ray diffraction indicates that the TiNb2O7 nanorods have a Ti2Nb10O29-type crystal structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the nanorods have an average diameter of similar to 100 nm and an average length of similar to 300 nm. As a result of such nanosizing effect, this new material exhibits advanced electrochemical performances in terms of specific capacity, rate capability and cyclic stability. At 0.1 C, it delivers a large first-cycle discharge/charge capacity of 337/279 mAh g(-1). Its capacities remain 248, 233, 214, 182, 154 and 122mAh g(-1) at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 C, respectively. After 100 cycles, its capacity at 10C remains 140mAh g(-1) with large capacity retention of 91.0%.