Hierarchical mesoporous rutile TiO2/C composite nanospheres as lithium-ion battery anode materials

Hierarchical mesoporous rutile TiO2 nanospheres were successfully synthesized via a simple low-temperature template-free method. The rutile TiO2 electrode showed poor electrochemical anodic performance in a lithium-ion battery. In order to improve the performance, conductive polyaniline was synthesized and coated on rutile TiO2 nanospheres via in-situ polymerization and chemical etching. After carbonization, the TiO2/C composite electrode showed more stable cyclability and a higher rate performance. Additionally, the amorphous carbon layer provided an effective pathway for charge transport, leading to a lower charge-transfer resistance and a higher lithium-ion diffusion coefficient compared to those of untreated rutile.