TiO2-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for high-rate application of lithium ion batteries

TiO2-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. The structure and morphology have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The result shows that a unique nanocomposite has been obtained with the TiO2 nanoparticle homogenously dispersed onto the reduced graphene oxide sheets. The electrochemistry performance has been tested through cyclic voltammetry, constant current discharge/charge tests, and electrochemical impedance techniques. The initial lithium ion storage capacity is 368 mAhg−1 at the rate of 10 mAg−1, which exceeds the theoretical capacity value of the anatase TiO2 (335 mAhg−1). The nanocomposite exhibits good high-rate capacity of 136.1 mAhg−1 at rate of 1,000 mAg−1, and, after 100 cycles, the coulombic efficiency is still maintained as high as 98.6 %. The high specific capacity and good stability can be attributed to the unique structures and make the nanocomposite a promising substitute of the current commercial graphite anode in high-power, high-rate application of lithium ion batteries.