A robust strategy for crafting LiTiOPO4/CeO2 composites towards high rate lithium ion battery

•LiTiOPO4/CeO2 was synthesized by hydrothermal and solid phase method.•The different valence states of Ce3+/Ce4+ exist in LiTiOPO4/CeO2.•The Ce3+-doped and CeO2 modified LiTiOPO4 enhance Lithium-Ion storage. LiTiOPO4/CeO2 composites as high-performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal and high-temperature solid-phase method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results showed that CeO2-motified LiTiOPO4 was successfully prepared. Electron microscopy observation of the structural and morphological analysis data of the prepared materials further showed that CeO2 was coated on the surface of LiTiOPO4. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed different valence states of Ce4+/Ce3+ exist in LiTiOPO4/CeO2. The Ce3+-doped LiTiOPO4 with CeO2 surface modification was used to enhance lithium-ion storage performance by mediating voltage from 0.01 to 3.0 V. The rate capacity of the LiTiOPO4/CeO2 was maintained at 295.5 mAh g−1. The specific discharge capacity was maintained at 206.5 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles, at 5 A g−1. The CeO2 not only significantly enhances ion diffusion and charge transfer, but also reduces polarization, promotes transport of Li+ to more storage sites in LiTiOPO4.