Promoted kinetics and capacity on the Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 /C anode by constructing a one dimensional hybrid structure for superior performance lithium ion batteries.

Notably, spinel Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 with higher theoretical capacity inherits the characteristics of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , which is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries with high energy density. However, the reversible migration of Cu 2+ in Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 during the discharge process limits the diffusion of Li + , resulting in poor electrochemical performance. Space confinement is a desirable successful strategy to reduce the size of electroactive materials in return for getting improved kinetics and capacity for secondary ion batteries. Here, we develop a strategy by controlling the precursor of Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 in the walls of sulfonated polymer nanotubes, and the highly crosslinked copolymer network in the process of pyrolysis caused strong space confinement for the nanoparticles, which effectively prevented the agglomeration of Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 during the calcination process. The hybrid porous nanotubes consisting of Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 nanoparticles (5-50 nm) embedded in carbon nanotubes exhibit superior performance (402.8 mA h g -1 at 0.2 A g -1 , 101 mA h g -1 at 10 A g -1 after 1000 cycles). This work provides a rapid and durable Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 electrochemistry, holding great promise in developing a practically viable Li 2 CuTi 3 O 8 anode and enlightening material engineering in related energy storage and conversion areas.