TiO2/NiO/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as anode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries

In this study, NiO was synthesized via a facile method and coated on the surface of a TiO2 anode material doped with rGO (reduced graphene oxide). TiO2/NiO/rGO nanocomposite structures were synthesized by a two-step solid-state method, and their lithium storage capacity was investigated and compared with that of both as-prepared TiO2/NiO and pure TiO2. The coating over the TiO2 surface helped to attain a higher capacity and cycle stability than that without it, even at high current rates. The TiO2/NiO/rGO nanocomposites show excellent performance with an initial discharge capacity of up to 324 mAh/g between 0 and 3 V vs Li at 20 mA/g. Furthermore, at a high current density of 100 mA/g, the TiO2/NiO/rGO nanocomposite still achieved a capacity of 245 mAh/g after 200 cycles. This excellent performance could be attributed to the stable framework and high electronic conductivity within the TiO2/NiO/rGO nanocomposite. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.