Potential core-shell anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries: Encapsulation of titanium oxide nanostructure in conductive polymer

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2021-11, Vol.882, p.160715, Article 160715
• Main Authors: Santhoshkumar, P., Subburaj, T., Kathalingam, A., Karuppasamy, K., Vikraman, Dhanasekaran, Yim, Chang-Joo, Park, Hyun-Chang, Kim, Hyun-Seok
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Coated electrodes; Conducting polymers; Conductive polymer; Core-shell; Core-shell structure; Electrode materials; Electrodes; Encapsulation; Integrity; LIBs; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanostructure; Nanostructures; Polymer coatings; Polymers; Polypyrroles; Rechargeable batteries; Shell anodes; Structural analysis; Titanium dioxide; Titanium oxides
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.160715

•A facile TiO2-capped conductive polymer (TOCP) is prepared using a simple and effective two-step process.•The TOCP core-shell nanostructure exhibited a high reversible specific discharge-charge capacity of 348–318 mAh g−1.•The conductive polymer coating can improve the conductivity of the TOCP core-shell nanostructure.•TOCP can offer more number of active sites to promote lithium-ion diffusion thereby improve the electrochemical performance. [Display omitted] We investigated the effect of a conductive polymer coating on an active material. TiO2-capped conductive polymer (TOCP) is prepared using a simple and effective two-step process, which comprised hydrothermal and polymerization techniques. Structural analysis showed that the as-prepared pristine titanium oxide electrode material prescribed to the rutile phase TiO2. High-resolution field-emission transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the composite electrode material comprised a thin, uniform, and nano-sized polypyrrole layer coated on TiO2. The TOCP core-shell nanostructure exhibited a high reversible specific capacity of 348/318 mAh g−1, which was considerably higher than that of the pristine TiO2 (TO) nanostructure. At a high current density, its specific capacity was 206/205 mAh g−1, which indicated the material’s high integrity. A combination of large surface area and high porosity could facilitate fast ion/electrode transport, and the electrode active material integrity screening the excellence in rate capability and long-term cyclic stability in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.