Growth of TiO2 nanorod arrays on reduced graphene oxide with enhanced lithium-ion storageElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: SEM and AFM images, XRD patterns, TGA curves, and LIB performance. See DOI: 10.1039/c2jm33571a

• Main Authors: He, Lifang, Ma, Ruguang, Du, Ning, Ren, Jianguo, Wong, Tailun, Li, Yangyang, Lee, Shuit Tong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0959-9428; 1364-5501
• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm33571a

We demonstrate the synthesis of a sandwich-like nanocomposite by planting rutile TiO 2 nanorods onto reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via a modified seed-assisted hydrothermal growth method. The synthetic process consists of functionalization of graphene oxide (GO), followed by hydrolytic deposition of TiO 2 nanoparticles on GO and reduction, and finally hydrothermal growth of rutile TiO 2 nanorods on RGO. The resultant nanocomposite, i.e. rutile TiO 2 nanorod arrays on RGO (TONRAs-RGO), exhibits largely enhanced reversible charge-discharge capacity and rate capability compared to bare TiO 2 nanorods (TONRs) due to its unique structure and superior conductivity. The rate performance of the nanocomposite is also better than that of anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles. This study will inspire better design of RGO-based nanocomposites for high energy density lithium-ion battery applications. TiO 2 nanorod arrays have been uniformly planted on reduced graphene oxide, and the resultant sandwich-like nanocomposite showed largely enhanced lithium-ion storage properties than bare rutile TiO 2 nanorods and TiO 2 nanoparticles.