Synthesis and electrochemical properties of a porous titania fabricated from exfoliated nanosheets

In order to obtain a new type of lithium battery electrode material with high capacity, a porous titania was fabricated from exfoliated nanosheets. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms showed that the porous titania has a mesoporous structure composed of slit-shaped pores. The porous titania worked as a rechargeable electrode material. An initial capacity of 267 mAh g−1 (cut-off voltage: 1.0 V) could be achieved, which approximately correspond to the composition of Li0.8TiO2. A charge–discharge test between 3 V and 1 V gave a good rechargeable capacity of about 200 mAh g−1 over the first 10 cycles. The porous titania had a larger capacity than the parent unexfoliated H1.08Ti1.73O4 specimen. There was no correlation between the mesopore volume and the capacity. The development of smaller fine pores below the mesopores contributed to obtaining the high capacity.