The Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles Morphologies on the Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Anode materials based on the TiO2 nanoparticles of different morphologies were prepared using the hydrothermal method and characterized by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and N2 absorption. The TiO2 nanoparticles prepared were used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and their electrochemical properties were tested using discharging/charging measurements. The results showed that the initial morphology of the nanoparticles plays a minor role in battery performance after the first few cycles and that better capacity was achieved for TiO2 nanobelt morphology. The sharp drop in the specific capacity of LIB during their first cycles is examined by considering changes in the morphology of TiO2 particles and their porosity properties in terms of size and connectivity. The performance of TiO2 anode materials has also been assessed by considering their phase.

Synthesis of TiO2 Nanobelt Bundles Decorated with TiO2 Nanoparticles and Aggregates and Their Use as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

TiO2 nanobelt bundles decorated with TiO2 aggregates were prepared using an easy and scalable hydrothermal method at various temperatures (170, 190, 210, and 230 °C). It was demonstrated that the synthesis temperature is a key parameter to tune the number of aggregates on the nanobelt surface. Prepared TiO2 aggregates and nanobelt bundles were used to design anode materials in which the aggregates regulated the pore size and connectivity of the interconnected nanobelt bundle structure. A galvanostatic technique was employed for the electrochemical characterization of TiO2 samples. Using TiO2 as a model material due to its small volume change during the cycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the relationship between the morphology of the anode materials and the capacity retention of the LIBs on cycling is discussed. It was clearly found that the size and connectivity of the pores and the specific surface area had a striking impact on the Li insertion behavior, lithium storage capability, and cycling performance of the batteries. The initial irreversible capacity was shown to increase as the specific surface area increased. As the pore size increased, the ability of the mesoporous anatase to release strain was stronger, resulting in better cycling stability. The TiO2 powder prepared at a temperature of 230 °C displayed the highest discharge and charge capacities (203.3 mAh/g and 140.8 mAh/g) and good cycling stability.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of TiO2 Aggregates and Their Application as Negative Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: The Conflicting Effects of Specific Surface and Pore Size.

TiO2 aggregates of controlled size have been successfully prepared by hydrothermal synthesis using TiO2 nanoparticles of different sizes as a building unit. In this work, different techniques were used to characterize the as-prepared TiO2 aggregates, e.g., X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller technique (BET), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), electrochemical measurements etc. The size of prepared TiO2 aggregates varied from 10-100 nm, and their pore size from around 5-12 nm; this size has been shown to depend on synthesis temperature. The mechanism of the aggregate formations was discussed in terms of efficiency of collision and coalescence processes. These newly synthetized TiO2 aggregates have been investigated as potential negative insertion electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The influence of specific surface areas and pore sizes on the improved capacity was discussed-and conflicting effects pointed out.

Large-Scale Synthesis Route of TiO2 Nanomaterials with Controlled Morphologies Using Hydrothermal Method and TiO2 Aggregates as Precursor.

TiO2 of controlled morphologies have been successfully prepared hydrothermally using TiO2 aggregates of different sizes. Different techniques were used to characterize the prepared TiO2 powder such as XRD, XPS, FEGSEM, EDS, and HRTEM. It was illustrated that the prepared TiO2 powders are of high crystallinity with different morphologies such as nanobelt, nanourchin, and nanotube depending on the synthesis conditions of temperature, time, and additives. The mechanism behind the formation of prepared morphologies is proposed involving nanosheet intermediate formation. Furthermore, it was found that the nanoparticle properties were governed by those of TiO2 nanoparticles aggregate used as a precursor. For example, the size of prepared nanobelts was proven to be influenced by the aggregates size used as a precursor for the synthesis.