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Monoclinic Li 2 TiO 3 (β -Li 2 TiO 3) is a kind of potential candidate for anodic material of high-safety lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for its stable zero-strain layered structure; however, β -Li 2 TiO 3 has intermediate Li+ ​ion conductivity and low electronic conductivity, affecting its practical application. Herein, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have been synthesized via a convenient low-temperature solid state method. The diffusion of Li+ ​along the ab plane of β -Li 2 TiO 3 has relatively low energy barrier, and the obtained [002]-oriented nanowires (with diameter of 50–70 ​nm) provide short and accessible Li+ ​diffusion pathways along the ab plane. In addition, the modification of carbon layers with optimal thickness (∼8 ​nm) can promote the Li+ transfer kinetics and improve the electronic conductivity. As a result, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, involving high specific capacity (243.1 mAh g−1 at 50 ​mA ​g−1), high rate capability (173.6 and 155.3 mAh g−1 at current rates of 50 and 200 ​mA ​g−1), and good cyclic stability (160.9 mAh g−1 at 50 ​mA ​g−1 after 100 cycles). Therefore, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have the potential to be used as anodic material for high-performance LIBs. This work could provide inspiration to improve the Li-ion storage property of anodic materials by purposely tailoring the structure and crystal orientation. The modification of carbon layer with optimal thickness (∼8 ​nm) can promote the Li+ ions transfer and improve the electronic conductivity; moreover, the diffusion of Li ​+ ​ions along the ab plane of β -Li 2 TiO 3 has low energy barrier. Thus, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires with small diameter possess excellent Li-ion storage property. [Display omitted] • [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires are prepared by a low-temperature solid state method. • β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires with carbon thickness of 8 ​nm exhibit the best electrochemical properties. • β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have good Li-ion storage property owing to carbon layer, c -axis-oriented growth, and small diameter. • This work supplies a simple, low-cost, and effective route to prepare other 1D Li x Ti y O z nanomaterials on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, rutile films consisting of rectangular nanorods were facilely deposited on glass substrates from strongly acid solution of TiCl4. The highly ordered array of nanorods was realized in presence of ionic liquid (IL) of [Bmim]Br by following a hydrothermal process. In this process, Degussa P25 nanoparticles served as seeds that were pre-deposited on the substrates to facilitate the array of rutile nanorods. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectrum were used to characterize the obtained nanorod films. The measurements showed that the nanorods were rectangular with width of 100–200nm and length of more than 1μm, and grew up typically along c-axis to form the arrays against the substrate. The presence of IL was found vital for the formation of rutile nanorods, and the suitable molar ratio of [Bmim]Br to TiCl4 ranged from 500:1 to 1500:1. The excessive [Bmim]Br may hinder the precipitation of rutile particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]