Sugarapple-like N-doped TiO2@carbon core-shell spheres as high-rate and long-life anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 353; pp. 237 - 244
• Main Authors: Ren, Manman, Xu, Hong, Li, Fang, Liu, Weiliang, Gao, Cuiling, Su, Liwei, Li, Guangda, Hei, Jinpei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.06.2017
• Subjects: Anode materials; Core-shell; Electrochemical performance; N-doped; TiO2; N-doped; Electrochemical performance; Core-shell; Anode materials; TiO2
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.04.015

In this work, sugarapple-like N-doped TiO2@N-doped carbon (NTiO2@NC) core-shell spheres have been synthesized with a facile and effective preparation process using polypyrrole (PPy) as carbon and nitrogen sources. Conductive N-doped carbon with slit pores uniformly coated on the TiO2 spheres surface. Benefiting from the N-doping and carbon shell, NTiO2@NC demonstrates superior long-term cycling stability and high-rate performance as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. Even tested at a current density of 5000 mA g−1, the NTiO2@NC composites can deliver a reversible capacity of 232.7 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles. This new strategy may shed light on preparing metal oxides@NC core-shell composites for Li-ion batteries and other energy storage applications. [Display omitted] •Sugarapple liked N-doped TiO2@ carbon core-shell spheres were prepared.•Highly conductive N-doped carbon homogeneously coated on the TiO2 surface.•The composites exhibited excellent long-term and high-rate performance.