Compositing amorphous TiO₂ with N-doped carbon as high-rate anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Compositing amorphous TiO₂ with nitrogen-doped carbon through Ti-N bonding to form an amorphous TiO₂/N-doped carbon hybrid (denoted a-TiO₂/C-N) has been achieved by a two-step hydrothermal-calcining method with hydrazine hydrate as an inhibitor and nitrogen source. The resultant a-TiO₂/C-N hybrid has a surface area as high as 108 m² g^-1 and, when used as an anode material, exhibits a capacity as high as 290.0 mA h g^-1 at a current rate of 1 C and a reversible capacity over 156 mA h g^-1 at a current rate of 10 C after 100 cycles; these results are better than those found in most reports on crystalline TiO ₂. This superior electrochemical performance could be ascribed to a combined effect of several factors, including the amorphous nature, porous structure, high surface area, and N-doped carbon. Performance enhancing: An amorphous TiO₂/N-doped carbon hybrid has been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal-calcining method with hydrazine hydrate as an inhibitor and nitrogen source. The resultant amorphous TiO₂/C-N hybrid exhibits superior performance when used as an anode material in a lithium-ion battery (see picture).