Enhanced electrochemical performance of carbon-coated TiO₂ nanobarbed fibers as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

We report the electrochemical performance of carbon-coated TiO₂ nanobarbed fibers (TiO₂@C NBFs) as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The TiO₂@C NBFs are composed of TiO₂ nanorods grown on TiO₂ nanofibers as a core, coated with a carbon shell. These nanostructures form a conductive network showing high capacity and C-rate performance due to fast lithium-ion diffusion and effective electron transfer. The TiO₂@C NBFs show a specific reversible capacity of approximately 170 mAh g^{- 1} after 200 cycles at a 0.5 A g^{- 1} current density, and exhibit a discharge rate capability of 4 A g^{- 1} while retaining a capacity of about 70 mAh g^{- 1}. The uniformly coated amorphous carbon layer plays an important role to improve the electrical conductivity during the lithiation-delithiation process.