A stable TiO 2 -graphene nanocomposite anode with high rate capability for lithium-ion batteries.

A rapid microwave hydrothermal process is adopted for the synthesis of titanium dioxide and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries. With the assistance of hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent, graphene oxide was reduced while TiO 2 nanoparticles were grown in situ on the nanosheets to obtain the nanocomposite material. The morphology of the nanocomposite obtained consisted of TiO 2 particles with a size of ∼100 nm, uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. The as-prepared TiO 2 -graphene nanocomposite was able to deliver a capacity of 250 mA h g -1 ± 5% at 0.2C for more than 200 cycles with remarkably stable cycle life during the Li + insertion/extraction process. In terms of high rate capability performance, the nanocomposite delivered discharge capacity of ca. 100 mA h g -1 with >99% coulombic efficiency at C-rates of up to 20C. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the material in terms of high rate capability and cycling stability indicates that the as-developed TiO 2 -rGO nanocomposites are promising electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries.