Enhanced sodium storage behavior of carbon coated anatase TiO2 hollow spheres

• Main Authors: Zhang, Yan, Yang, Yingchang, Hou, Hongshuai, Yang, Xuming, Chen, Jun, Jing, Mingjun, Jia, Xinnan, Ji, Xiaobo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ta04009d

Carbon coated anatase TiO 2 hollow spheres (CCAnTHSs) are prepared through the carbon wrapping of etched amorphous TiO 2 solid spheres (AmTSSs). The as-obtained CCAnTHS composite is applied as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for the first time, delivering excellent cycle stability. At a high current density of 5C, a reversible capacity of 140.4 mA h g −1 remained after 500 cycles. Especially, at a 25C rate it could still reach 84.9 mA h g −1 after 80 cycles. Briefly, the sodium storage performance of CCAnTHSs are superior to these of the amorphous TiO 2 solid spheres and bare anatase TiO 2 hollow spheres, mainly benefitting from the advantages of a unique hollow structure with a large specific surface area and a carbon coating with high electronic conductivity. Carbon coated anatase TiO 2 hollow spheres are successfully prepared by etching amorphous TiO 2 solid sphere precursors followed by carbon wrapping. The as-obtained composites are employed as anodes for sodium-ion batteries for the first time, and manifested an enhanced sodium storage performance.