Green facile scalable synthesis of titania/carbon nanocomposites: new use of old dental resins.

A green facile scalable method inspired by polymeric dental restorative composite is developed to synthesize TiO2/carbon nanocomposites for manipulation of the intercalation potential of TiO2 as lithium-ion battery anode. Poorly crystallized TiO2 nanoparticles with average sizes of 4−6 nm are homogeneously embedded in carbon matrix with the TiO2 mass content varied between 28 and 65%. Characteristic discharge/charge plateaus of TiO2 are significantly diminished and voltage continues to change along with proceeding discharge/charge process. The tap density, gravimetric and volumetric capacities, and cyclic and rate performance of the TiO2/C composites are effectively improved.