Novel TiO₂/C nanocomposites for anode materials of lithium ion batteries

Here we reported an effective method to prepare TiO₂/C core-shell nanocomposites as active anode materials for lithium ion batteries with markedly ameliorated electrochemical performance. At first, a precursor, polyacrylonitrile coated nano-TiO₂ particles, was formed by emulsion polymerization. Then the precursor was heat-treated under argon atmosphere to achieve the nanocomposites. The conductive carbon shell enveloped TiO₂ nanoparticles and suppressed the aggregation of nanoparticles during cycling. Meanwhile, it combined closely with the nanocores, significantly enhanced kinetics of lithium intercalation and de-intercalation and diffusion coefficient of lithium ion. This provides a good way to improve the cycling and kinetics of nanoanode materials.