Nanosized anatase titanium dioxide loaded porous carbon nanofiber webs as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Nanosized anatase titanium dioxide loaded porous carbon nanofibers (TiO2/PCNFs) were prepared from electrospun TiO(OAc)2/PAN/PMMA composite precursor fibers with different amount of PMMA porogen, which were sequentially heat-treated in different environments. Electrochemical measurement results show that these as-prepared TiO2/PCNFs present higher cyclic reversible capacity than the TiO2/CNFs counterpart (without PMMA porogen in its precursor fibers). Among the as-prepared TiO2/PCNFs samples, the representative TiO2/PCNFs (the mass ratio of PAN to PMMA is 3:1) exhibits the best high-rate performance with a high stable capacity retention about 200 mAhg− 1 at a current density as high as 800 mAg− 1. This novel TiO2/PCNFs composite material opens up a promising application in high-power lithium-ion batteries.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Nanosized anatase TiO2 loaded porous carbon nanofiber (TiO2/PCNFs ) web as a direct anode material for LIBs is first reported. ► Facile electrospinning method and thermal treatments are employed. ► TiO2/PCNFs delivers excellent high-rate performance.