Mesoporous Tungsten Trioxide Polyaniline Nanocomposite as an Anode Material for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract A nanocomposite of polyaniline (PANI)/mesoporous tungsten trioxide (m‐WO₃) was synthesized by the chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline coated onto an ordered m‐WO₃ and investigated as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. The nanocomposite was characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the nanocomposite were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge/discharge tests. The reversible capacity of the PANI/m‐WO₃ in the first cycle was 1064 mAh g⁻¹ at 60 mA g⁻¹ and remained at 803 mAh g⁻¹ at 180 mA g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, while the initial charge capacity of m‐WO₃ was 556 mAh g⁻¹ and remained only at 303 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite can be ascribed to the electronical conductivity of PANI and the chemical interaction between PANI and m‐WO₃. More importantly, the unique PANI coating layer on the m‐WO₃ is believed to play an important role in the capacity contribution of the composite.