Core-shell nanostructured SiO2@a-TiO2@Ag composite with high capacity and safety for Li-ion battery anode

Smarting surface coatings have been shown to be good examples to cope with the drastic volume change and poor conductivity of SiO2 anode. Herein, we successfully synthesize the SiO2@a-TiO2@Ag composite with core-shell structure via a facile sol-gel method. The designed structure, in which a-TiO2 layer show elastic behavior, can alleviate the expansion of electrode, and provide more diffusion channels for lithium-ion. In addition, Ag nanoparticles are good conductor of electricity. The resulting materials used as lithium-ion batteries anode with superior lithium storage properties in terms of high initial capacity (1320 m Ah g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1)), good rate capability (425 m Ah g(-1) at 2 A g(-1)), and excellent cycling stability (712 m Ah g(-1) was retained over 300 cycles at 0.1 A g(-1)).

Automated summary

By synthesizing the SiO2@a-TiO2@Ag composite, with a core-shell structure, where the a-TiO2 layer exhibits elastic behavior and Ag nanoparticles serve as good conductors, excellent lithium storage properties were demonstrated.