Micro/nanostructured TiNb2O7-related electrode materials for high-performance electrochemical energy storage: recent advances and future prospects

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 8; no. 36; pp. 18425 - 18463
• Main Authors: Wang, Hongkang, Qian, Ruifeng, Cheng, Yonghong, Hong-Hui, Wu, Wu, Xianwen, Pan, Kunming, Zhang, Qiaobao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 28.09.2020
• Subjects: Anodes; carbon; Diffusion rate; Electric vehicles; Electrochemical analysis; electrochemical capacitors; Electrochemistry; Electrode materials; Electrodes; energy; Energy storage; Hybrid systems; Ion diffusion; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanostructure; Niobium; Performance enhancement; Rechargeable batteries; Smart grid; Storage batteries; Storage systems; Structural engineering; Vanadium
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta04209a

The increasing demand for large-scale electrochemical energy storage, such as lithium ion batteries (LIBs) for electric vehicles and smart grids, requires the development of advanced electrode materials. Ti–Nb–O compounds as some of the most promising intercalation-type anode materials have attracted a lot of attention owing to their high theoretical capacity (388–399 mA h g−1) arising from the multiple redox pairs (Ti4+/Ti3+, Nb5+/Nb4+, and Nb4+/Nb3+), high safety, and superior cycling stability. However, their intrinsic low electronic conductivity and slow solid-state ion diffusion lead to unsatisfactory rate performance. To overcome these drawbacks, various efficient strategies have been proposed to improve the performance of Ti–Nb–O compounds, especially TiNb2O7. This Review aims to provide rational understanding of how structural engineering approaches (e.g., dimensional/morphological control, doping/hybridizing with exotic elements/components, carbon coating/compositing, etc.) improve the electrochemical properties of micro/nanostructured TiNb2O7-based anode materials. In addition, other Ti–Nb–O compounds with different compositions as anodes for LIBs and micro/nanostructured TiNb2O7-based anodes for other energy storage systems (sodium-ion batteries, hybrid supercapacitors, and vanadium redox flow batteries) are discussed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for micro/nanostructured TiNb2O7-related electrode materials for high-performance energy storage applications are highlighted.