Solid-state synthesis of Ti2Nb10O29/reduced graphene oxide composites with enhanced lithium storage capability

• Hybrid composites of Ti2Nb10O29 anchored on reduced graphene oxide were fabricated.
• A simple two-step solid-state reaction method was employed.
• The hybrid composites exhibited greatly improved electrochemical performance.

Owing to their multiple redox couples, titanium–niobium-based oxides are still considered promising candidates for use as anodes for safe, rechargeable lithium ion batteries with high energy and power densities. Titanium–niobium-based oxide electrodes have, however, exhibited relatively poor cycling performance as a result of pulverization. In this study, we report on a simple two-step solid-state reaction route for producing hybrid composites of Ti2Nb10O29 (TNO) anchored on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and the electrochemical performance of the resulting TNO/RGO composites. Solid-state reactions enable both the formation of TNO and the uniform distribution of RGO in the TNO/RGO composites. The TNO/RGO composites exhibited discharge and charge capacities of 261 and 256 mAh g−1, respectively, with much better cycling performance (182 mAh g−1 after the 50th cycles) and rate capability (165 mAh g−1 at a current density of 500 mA g−1) compared to the pure TNO.