The superior lithium storage capabilities of ultra-fine rutile TiO2 nanoparticles

The lithium storage capabilities of ultra-fine rutile TiO2 nanoparticles have been studied. Ultra-fine rutile TiO2 nanoparticles with only several nanometers in size have been prepared by a modified wet-chemical method with a high yield. Unexpectedly, the rutile TiO2 nanoparticles with 3 nm in size exhibit superior lithium storage properties. Specifically, they show long term cycling stability upon extended cycling for at least 300 cycles with a capacity loss of only 0.17% per cycle, and good rate capability up to a 30 C rate. The excellent reversible lithium storage capabilities could be attributed to the ultra-fine size giving rise to a very short diffusion path, and the relatively large surface area which provides more sites for lithium insertion.