A simple and scalable method is developed to synthesize TiO
2/graphene nanostructured composites as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries using hydroxyl titanium oxalate (HTO) as the intermediate for TiO
2. With assistance of a surfactant, amorphous HTO can condense as a flower-like nanostructure on graphene oxide (GO) sheets. By calcination, the HTO/GO nanocomposite can be converted to TiO
2/graphene nanocomposite with well preserved flower-like nanostructure. In the composite, TiO
2 nanoparticles with an ultrasmall size of several nanometers construct the porous flower-like nanostructure which strongly attached onto conductive graphene nanosheets. The TiO
2/graphene nanocomposite is able to deliver a capacity of 230 mA h g
鈥? at 0.1 C (corresponding to a current density of 17 mA g
鈥?), and demonstrates superior high-rate charge鈥揹ischarge capability and cycling stability at charge/discharge rates up to 50 C in a half cell configuration. Full cell measurement using the TiO
2/graphene as the anode material and spinel LiMnO
2 as the cathode material exhibit good high-rate performance and cycling stability, indicating that the TiO
2/graphene nanocomposite has a practical application potential in advanced Li-ion batteries.
Keywords:
Li-ion battery; titania; graphene; anode; nanocomposite