Off-stoichiometric TiO2-x-decorated graphite anode for high-power lithium-ion batteries.

To meet the growing demand for high-power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the development of advanced materials is crucial because they play a central role in energy storage technologies. Although graphite is widely used as the most popular anode material, the rate capability and thermal stability of graphite should be further improved for extending the applications of LIBs into emerging markets like electric vehicles and personal mobility devices. With this in mind, we propose off-stoichiometric TiO 2- x -decorated graphite as a potential anode material for practical use in high-power LIBs. Thanks to the high electrical conductivity and thermal resistance of off-stoichiometric TiO 2- x induced by an in situ carbothermal reduction process, the rate capability and thermal stability of graphite can be notably enhanced. The TiO 2- x -decorated graphite offers a high capacity retention of 76.9% even after 100 cycles at a current density of 1C. We believe that this work can provide more opportunities to explore highly reliable anode materials offering high-energy and high-power characteristics for advanced LIBs. A TiO 2-x -decorated graphite is synthesized via an in situ carbon thermal reduction process and its feasibility is thoroughly examined as a potential anode material for practical use in high-power LIBs. The high electrical conductivity and thermal resistance of off-stoichiometric TiO 2-x decorated on the surface of graphite allow the improvement of rate capability and thermal stability of graphite anode. Image 1 • A TiO 2-x -decorated graphite is synthesized via an in situ carbon thermal reduction process as an anode material for LIBs. • The decoration of TiO 2-x nanoparticles is beneficial for improving the rate capability and thermal stability of graphite. • A TiO 2-x -decorated graphite offers a stable cycle performance up to 100 cycle at a current density of 1C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]