Electrochemical properties of ordered TiO2 nanotube loaded with Ag nano-particles for lithium anode material

Self-organized TiO2 nanotube array was grown on titanium (Ti) thin film by anodizing in glycerol solution containing low concentration of NH4F, and Ag/TiO2 nanotube was then prepared from TiO2 nanotube array by thermal decomposition. The physical properties of the synthesized TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized two samples were used as negative materials for lithium-ion battery, and their charge–discharge property, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cycle performance were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of Ag to TiO2 nanotube could significantly improve the electronic conductivity, charge–discharge capacity, and cycle stability of TiO2 nanotube.