Centrifugally spun TiO2/C composite fibers prepared from TiS2/PAN precursor fibers as binder-free anodes for LIBS.

TiO 2 /carbon composite-fiber anodes for lithium ion batteries were prepared through the centrifugal spinning of TiS 2 /polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers and subsequent thermal treatment. The TiS 2 /PAN precursor solutions were prepared by mixing TiS 2 nanoparticles (a 2-D layered structure) with PAN in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The thermal treatment of the TiS 2 in the centrifugally spun PAN fibers resulted in TiO 2 /carbon composite fibers. The structure of TiO 2 nanoparticles embedded in the carbon-fiber matrix synthesized from the TiS 2 starting material may accommodate high amounts of Li ions. The TiO 2 /C structure may lead to increased specific capacity, improved stability, and enhanced electrochemical performance of the TiO 2 /C composite electrode after prolonged charge/discharge cycles. The TiO 2 /C composite-fiber anode delivered discharge and charge capacities at the first cycle of 683 mAhg−1 and 356 mAhg−1, respectively, with a reversible charge capacity of 290 mAhg−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg−1. The TiO 2 /C composite fibers showed an improvement in the rate performance at higher current densities compared to the graphite anode alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]