Investigation of Nano Composite TiO2 Nanotube/rGO as Anode Materials for Li Ion Batteries

Currently, demands for rechargeable batteries are increasing for applications in mobile devices, electric-powered transportation, and stationary energy storage. Metal oxide nanostructures with high surface area are attractive for photocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cell and lithium ion battery applications and have been investigated intensively in recent years. For these applications, lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have been the most promising system due to their long cycle life, high energy density, safety, and so on [1]. In the present work, we used an affective and facile electrochemical method to improve the properties of Titanium nano arrays (TNAs) in order to achieve high capacity and significant conductivity. Titanate nanotubes were employed as a substrate and then carbon materials were coated onto their surface via electrostatic interaction [2]. In this method, we increased the conductivity and also reduced the destruction of TNAs in the calation/intercalation Li+ ion by creating a carbon coating. These excellent performances are attributed to the unique structure of the composite material. First, the empty space inside the nanotubes and the thin tube walls are beneficial for the diffusion of Li ions. Second, the closely coated Carbon materials frame can support faster electron transfer to a TiO2 electrode [3,4].