Synthesis and electrochemical analysis of a nanostructured spindle shaped TiO2

Spindle shaped anatase TiO2 nanostructure were prepared by employing a suitable amine (benzylamine) as surface directing ligand at 200 °C in a solvothermal process. The as prepared nanostructure possess an average diameter of ~18 nm with elongated size of ~41 nm. The XRD analysis shows a typical anatase characteristic with 2θ peaks at 25.3°, 37.81°, 48.04°, 53.92°, 55.1°, 62.73°, 68.69°, 70.3° and 75.08°. However, a comparative study using common amines such as diethylenetriamine, dodecyalmine, hexadecylamine, ethylenediamine and hexamethylenetetramine at same reaction condition shows only nanoparticles without specialized morphologies. The spindle shaped structure then processed for electrochemical test as anode materials in LIBs showing an excellent first and second discharge capacities of 391 and 169 mA h g−1 with a plateau of 1.75 V, much better than the nanoparticles. The enhanced capacity in the spindle shape structure could be attributed to the defect free, stable morphology, high surface area and enhanced conductivity due to nanostructured nature which could effectively withstand expansion/contraction occurring during the successive lithium ion insertion/extraction process.