Mesoporous Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres constructed by interconnected nanoparticles as high performance anode material for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Mesoporous Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres are prepared through a solvothermal method in isopropanol-glycerol solvent followed by calcination treatment. The Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres with diameter in the range between 1.0 and 2.0 µm are assembled from nanoparticles. The special hierarchical mesoporous structure of Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres can reduce the Li+ ions diffusion distance and supply large interfacial area between electrolyte and electrode, endowing them with better electrochemical properties compared to Ti2Nb10O29 nanoparticles. At different current densities of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 C, the first discharge capacity of mesoporous microspheres is respectively 268.9, 218.5, 205.3, 180.5, and 158.1 mA h g−1. By contrast, the corresponding values of Ti2Nb10O29 nanoparticles are quickly reduced from 254.6, 196.3, 159.4, 127.5, to 99.0 mA h g−1. It worth noting that Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres exhibit excellent rate capacities. Furthermore, at a current density of 10 C, the specific capacity of Ti2Nb10O29 microspheres can be maintained at 173.5 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles, with 86.8% retention of the first discharge capacity. These results suggest that the Ti2Nb10O29 mesoporous microspheres would be developed as potential anodic materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries.