Paper-like TiO2/graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid electrode with high mass loading: Toward high-performance lithium ion battery

One key challenge in flexible batteries lies in the development of deformable/flexible electrode with high active materials mass loading and good electronic conductivity. Herein, we report such a paper-like TiO2/graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid electrode by a facile vacuum filtration approach. In this electrode, titania nanoparticles with uniform size (9 nm) and carbon nanotubes are embedded into graphene sheet homogeneously, forming a peculiar 3D conducting network. This feature ensures 1) a high TiO2 mass loading (77.3 wt %, 2.93 mg cm−2); 2) good electric conductivity (∼1000 S m−1); and 3) good flexibility. Benefiting from these, the electrode delivers a high specific capacity (214 mAh g−1), excellent rate capability, and up to 700 cycles stability at a high rate of 1000 mA g−1. This fabrication strategy demonstrates great practical potential and opens up new idea for high-performance self-supported electrode design.