Nitrogen-doped carbon coated anatase TiO2 anode material for lithium-ion batteries

In order to improve cycle life of lithium-ion batteries, nitrogen-doped carbon coated anatase TiO2 (TiO2@C) anode materials were prepared by using polydopamine as carbon precursor. Transmission electron microscopy measurements showed that an uniform and continuous carbon layer with thickness of 4±0.5 nm was coated on the surface of the TiO2 nanoparticles. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, the weight content of nitrogen in the carbon coating layer was about 7.96 wt%. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the carbon content of the TiO2@C nanocomposite is about 4.2 wt%. Compared with the pristine TiO2 electrode, the TiO2@C nanocomposite electrode showed higher discharge retention and better cycling performance.