Synthesis of one-dimensional yolk-shell Sb 2 O 3 /TiO 2 composite as an anode material for enhanced lithium-storage properties

A one-dimensional yolk-shell Sb 2 O 3 /TiO 2 composite with excellent lithium-storage properties has been successfully fabricated, including preparation of one-dimensional Sb 2 O 3 precursor and coating of TiO 2 film. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the Sb 2 O 3 /TiO 2 composite can display the initial discharge specific capacity of 1285 mAh g −1 at a current density of 100 mA g −1 and maintain a discharge specific capacity of 579 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles, approximately 2.7 times as high as the pure Sb 2 O 3 . The excellent lithium-storage properties can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the one-dimensional structural Sb 2 O 3 and the TiO 2 film, in which the external TiO 2 shell can effectively restrain the volume expansion during the charge and discharge cycle, making the electrochemical reaction highly reversible.