Electrospun TiO_2−δ Nanofibers as Insertion Anode for Li-Ion Battery Applications

A scalable electrospinning technique is used to synthesize 1D TiO 2 nanofibers for Li-ion battery applications. Oxygen deficiency (TiO 2−δ ) in anatase phases is created by treating the nanofibers in the H 2 atmosphere with various temperature conditions. Structural and morphological features of both pure and oxygen deficient phases are analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Li-insertion properties of such nanofibers are evaluated in half-cell configuration at high current rate of 150 mA g –1 and found that there is no improvement in the reversible capacity after H 2 treatment. Improved cycling profiles are noted for such deficient phases compared with pure TiO 2 nanofibers. ac impedance spectra were also conducted to validate the electrical conductivity profiles of the electrospun TiO 2 nanofibers.