Synthesis of hydrogenated TiO₂-reduced-graphene oxide nanocomposites and their application in high rate lithium ion batteries

A hydrogenated TiO₂-reduced-graphene oxide (H-TiO ₂-RGO) nanocomposite is synthesised via a facile one-pot hydrogenation treatment process. The morphologies and structures are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms revealed that the H-TiO ₂-RGO exhibited large specific surface area of 114.4 m² g^-1. Compared with the TiO₂-RGO nanocomposite, the H-TiO₂-RGO nanocomposite exhibits a much higher rate capability and better capacity retention. At a current rate of 5 C, the reversible capacity of the H-TiO₂-RGO electrode is up to 166.3 mA h g^-1 and with only 2.4% capacity loss after 100 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance is strongly related to the high electronic conductivity derived from hydrogenated TiO₂ frameworks and the good contact between the zero-dimensional (0D) H-TiO₂ nanoparticles with two-dimensional (2D) reduced-graphene oxide nanosheets, which efficiently shortened the Li ⁺ diffusion path lengths, enhanced the electrolyte-active material contact area and facilitated rapid e^- transfer.