Electrochemical properties of anatase TiO2 nanotubes as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Titanium oxides with a one-dimensional nanostructure are of great significance in electrochemical lithium insertion due to their high specific surface area and pore volume. In this paper, anatase TiO2 nanotubes with diameters of about 10 nm and lengths of 200–400 nm were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The phase structure and morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties were investigated by constant current discharge–charge and cyclic voltammetry. There is a potential plateau at 1.73 and 1.88 V in the process of Li insertion and extraction, and the initial Li insertion/extraction capacity is 290 and 238 mAh g−1 at 36 mA g−1, respectively. The Li insertion capacity at the potential plateau of 1.73 V in the first cycle is about 150 mAh g−1. In the 20th cycle, the reversible capacity still remains at about 200 mAh g−1, and the coulombic efficiency is approximately 98%, exhibiting excellent cycling stability. The discharging capacity is about 168 mAh g−1 in the 30th cycle at 210 mA g−1, demonstrating a good high-rate performance. Anatase TiO2 nanotubes might be a promising negative material for lithium-ion batteries.