High power layered titanate nano-sheets as pseudocapacitive lithium-ion battery anodes

• Layered titanates with high surface area are synthesized via CHFS.
• The as-prepared nano-sheets can be used as the active component in the electrode.
• The high power performance remains excellent for current rates up to 10 A g−1.
• The charge is stored via pseudocapacitance intercalation.

Ultra-thin layered sodium titanate nano-sheets were synthesised using a continuous hydrothermal flow process and the as-prepared materials were investigated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. In comparison to previous studies on similar materials, the layered titanates herein showed high electrochemical activity at lower potentials. Cyclic voltammetry measurements in the potential range of 0.05–2.1 V vs. Li/Li+, revealed that charge storage occurred from both lithium-ion intercalation as well as pseudocapacitive surface chemical processes. During electrochemical cycling tests, a high specific current of 0.5 A g−1 was applied and the cells achieved a stable specific capacity of ca. 120 mAh g−1 for over 1200 cycles. Even at an applied current of 10 A g−1, the electrode material delivered a stable specific capacity of 38 mAh g−1, which suggests that this material may be suitable for high power applications.

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