TiO2 nanorods anchor on reduced graphene oxide (R-TiO2/rGO) composite as anode for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Graphene-based composite materials have attracted much attention as anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, TiO2 nanorods anchored on reduced graphene oxide (R-TiO2/rGO) composite were fabricated by hydrothermal method after annealing treatment and then explored as anode material for LIBs. The resultant R-TiO2/rGO samples possess TiO2 nanorods (with a section width of ~5 nm) on the surface of RGO sheets and a specific surface area of 149.5 m2 g−1. Notably, the electrodes deliver high reversible capacities of 267 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 100 cycles and 151 mA h g−1 at 10 C after 500 cycles (1 C = 168 mA g−1, voltage window: 0.01–3 V), respectively. Furthermore, the electrodes exhibit a remarkable rate capability of 55 mA h g−1 at 30 C, and a high coulombic efficiency (~99.5%). Moreover, the sample displays 96 mA h g−1 at 10 C after 1000 cycles ranged from 1 to 3 V. Such a favorable performance can be ascribed to the RGO sheets that facilitate the transport of Li+ and electrons during the lithium cycling process while, the pseudo-capacitance contribution may also be partially responsible for the excellent energy storage performance. This suggests the R-TiO2/rGO composite as a promising anode material for long-term LIBs. •TiO2 nanorods anchor on reduced graphene oxide hybrid material is developed by an in suit hydrothermal method.•As anode materials for LIBs, the sample delivers high specific capacity of 267 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 100 cycles.•The electrodes exhibit high reversible capacity of 55 mA h g−1 at 30 C.