Long-cycled Li2ZnTi3O8/TiO2 composite anode material synthesized via a one-pot co-precipitation method for lithium ion batteriesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nj02760a

Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /TiO 2 composite anode materials were synthesized by using a one-pot co-precipitation method for the first time. Texture characteristic and electrochemical measurements were taken of this composite and of pure as-prepared Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 to investigate their structures, morphologies and electrochemical properties. The Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /TiO 2 composite anode material showed a better cycle performance and a higher rate performance than did the pure Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 . At current densities of 1000 mA g −1 , 2000 mA g −1 and 3000 mA g −1 , the dual-phased Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /TiO 2 composite yielded discharge capacities, respectively, of 211.1 mA h g −1 , 199.8 mA h g −1 and 180.8 mA h g −1 at the first cycle, and 150.6 mA h g −1 , 137.2 mA h g −1 and 108.2 mA h g −1 , respectively, after 1000 cycles. The high specific capacity together with outstanding rate and cycle performance of the Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /TiO 2 composite suggest it to be a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries. Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 and Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /TiO 2 anode materials were synthesized via a co-precipitation method and displayed excellent electrochemical performances.