C@TiO2 nanocomposites with impressive electrochemical performances as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

C@TiO2 nanocomposites as lithium-ion battery anode material have been synthesized through a typical solvothermal process. A series of characterization methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, field emission transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, has been used to determine the microstructures and chemical compositions of the C@TiO2 nanocomposites. The electrochemical performances were investigated by the LAND battery testing system and electrochemical workstation. Results showed that the size of the C@TiO2 nanoparticles is approximately 21-55 nm and the titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are wrapped by the carbon layer containing an amount of graphitic carbon, of which the carbon source originated from the esterification reaction in the presence of KCl. An amount of graphitic carbon layers significantly ameliorated the electrical conductivity of the C@TiO2 nanocomposites and alleviated the volume expansion of TiO2 during the discharge-charge cycles, resulting in the C@TiO2 nanocomposites having a satisfactory reversible charge capacity of 237 mA h g−1 after 100 long cycles at the current density of 0.1 A g−1 and an impressive rate capability with the charge capacity of 176.5 mA h g−1 even at the high current density of 1.6 A g−1.