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Mesoporous and Nanostructured TiO 2 layer with Ultra‐High Loading on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Foams as Flexible and Free‐Standing Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Author(s) -
Chu Shiyong,
Zhong Yijun,
Cai Rui,
Zhang Zhaobao,
Wei Shenying,
Shao Zongping
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201602179
Subject(s) - materials science , mesoporous material , electrode , nanocrystalline material , lithium (medication) , nanotechnology , current collector , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , layer (electronics) , composite material , composite number , catalysis , electrolyte , medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , engineering , biochemistry
A simple and green method is developed for the preparation of nanostructured TiO 2 supported on nitrogen‐doped carbon foams (NCFs) as a free‐standing and flexible electrode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), in which the TiO 2 with 2.5–4 times higher loading than the conventional TiO 2 ‐based flexible electrodes acts as the active material. In addition, the NCFs act as a flexible substrate and efficient conductive networks. The nanocrystalline TiO 2 with a uniform size of ≈10 nm form a mesoporous layer covering the wall of the carbon foam. When used directly as a flexible electrode in a LIB, a capacity of 188 mA h g −1 is achieved at a current density of 200 mA g −1 for a potential window of 1.0–3.0 V, and a specific capacity of 149 mA h g −1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g −1 is maintained. The highly conductive NCF and flexible network, the mesoporous structure and nanocrystalline size of the TiO 2 phase, the firm adhesion of TiO 2 over the wall of the NCFs, the small volume change in the TiO 2 during the charge/discharge processes, and the high cut‐off potential contribute to the excellent capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability of the TiO 2 /NCFs flexible electrode.