Electrical and electrochemical properties of titanium dioxide /graphene nano platelets cathode for magnesium battery applications

TiO2/graphene nano platelets (GNP) nanocomposite cathodes have been synthesized through a simple ball mill process. TiO2 anatase nanoparticles, around 16 nm in size, were encapsulated in the 2D graphene matrix. The synthesized samples are characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), DSC, impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The graphene nano platelets act not only to reduce the charge transfer resistance but can help to absorb deformation caused by divalent insertion. The electrochemical behavior of Mg metal was tested in dimethyl sulfoxide solution containing magnesium perchlorate salt. The obvious redox peaks on the cyclic voltammetric curves confirm Mg2+ inserts/extracts into/from TiO2 through our simple electrolyte solution.