Particle Size Effect of Anatase TiO[sub 2] Nanocrystals for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Nanocrystalline anatase was synthesized from a triethylene glycol solution of titanium isopropoxide by refluxing at for . The thermal stability and effect of particle size on the corresponding electrochemical performances were investigated by annealing the prepared sample at various temperatures; namely, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and . The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples clearly revealed that the maximum temperature for the formation of pure anatase phase was beyond which the presence of rutile polymorph became significant. The field emission-transmission electron microscopy images of the obtained samples showed uniform and considerably dispersed particles with fairly homogeneous distributions and average sizes of . The electrochemical measurements indicated considerable charge–discharge capacities devoid of major capacity fading during extended cycles, due to their electrochemically beneficial highly crystalline traits, nanosized particles, and uniform distribution.