Mesoporous TiO2/TiC@C Composite Membranes with Stable TiO2-C Interface for Robust Lithium Storage

• Published in: iScience Vol. 3; pp. 149 - 160
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wei, Zu, Lianhai, Kong, Biao, Chen, Bingjie, He, Haili, Lan, Kun, Liu, Yang, Yang, Jinhu, Zhao, Dongyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 25.05.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Composite Materials; Energy Materials; Nanomaterials; Composite Materials; Nanomaterials; Energy Materials
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.04.009

Transition metal oxides/carbon (TMOs/C) composites are important for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but the development of interface-stable TMOs/C composite anodes for robust lithium storage is still a challenge. Herein, mesoporous TiO2/TiC@C composite membranes were synthesized by an in situ carbothermic reduction method. TiC nanodots with high conductivity and electrochemical inactivity at the TiO2-C interface can significantly enhance the electrical conductivity and structural stability of the membranes. Finite element simulations demonstrate that the TiO2/TiC@C membranes can effectively alleviate tensile and compression stress effects upon lithiation, which is beneficial for robust lithium storage. When used as additives and binder-free electrodes, the TiO2/TiC@C membranes show excellent cycling capability and rate performance. Moreover, a flexible full battery can be assembled by employing the TiO2/TiC@C membranes and shows good performance, highlighting the potential of these membranes in flexible electronics. This work opens an avenue to constructing interface-stable composite structures for the next-generation high-performance LIBs. [Display omitted] •Mesoporous TiO2/TiC@C membranes were synthesized by a simple method•This method can be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide/metal carbide@C•The TiC nanodots can alleviate tensile and compression stress effect upon lithiation•Long working life and excellent rate performance can be achieved Composite Materials; Nanomaterials; Energy Materials