Nanocrystalline anatase TiO2: a new anode material for rechargeable sodium ion batteriesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, crystal structure of anatase, SEM image of filter paper, XPS survey spectra of ANC and ANC-C, TGA curve, CV curves, and charge-discharge profiles of ANC-C, XRD pattern, N2 absorption-desorption isotherms, pore size distribution, and electrochemical performance of carbon sample. See DOI: 10.1039/c3cc45254a

Anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals were successfully employed as anodes for rechargeable Na-ion batteries for the first time. The mesoporous electrodes exhibited a highly stable reversible charge storage capacity of ∼150 mA h g −1 over 100 cycles, and were able to withstand high rate cycling, fully recovering this capacity after being cycled at rates as high as 2 A g −1 . Anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals were successfully employed as anodes for rechargeable Na-ion batteries for the first time.