Fabrication of free-standing N-doped carbon/TiO2 hierarchical nanofiber films and their application in lithium and sodium storages

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2017-04, Vol.701, p.372-379
• Main Authors: Shen, Jinran, Hu, Wentao, Li, Yueming, Li, Liqiang, Lv, Xiao-Jun, Zhang, Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Doping; Free-standing; Hierarchical nanofiber; Li-ion batteries
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.01.100

To simplify the fabrication of electrode in batteries and improve the electrochemical performance, free-standing films composed of N-doped carbon incorporated TiO2 hierarchical nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning followed by heat-treatment under a nitrogen atmosphere in this study. It is found that hierarchical nanofibers were formed at 700 °C or above due to the phase transformation and the presence of carbon matrix. The as-prepared film was tested as an anode in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Electrochemical results demonstrate a high rate performance (180 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 in lithium ion batteries) and excellent cycle stability can be achieved in lithium-ion batteries as well as in sodium-ion batteries. This self-standing film is binder free and thus promising for scale-up applications for lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries with easy fabrication and satisfactory electrochemical performance. •Free-standing N-doped carbon/TiO2 hierarchical nanofibers film prepared via electrospinning.•TiO2 hierarchical nanofiber composed of anatase “trunk” and rutile “leaves”.•The film exhibit high rate performance and excellent cycle stability ability in LIB and SIB.•Hierarchical structure, the nitrogen doping improve both the electronic and ionic conductivity.