Novel electrospun titanium (IV) oxide composite hollow fibers as anode in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Nanostructured transition metal oxides have been developed as electrode materials in Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBS) due to their ability to provide high capacity and improved cycling performance. Among these types, titanium oxide (TiO₂) has attracted considerable interesting owing to its high lithium intercalation property, minimal toxicity and small volume change during cycling. TiO₂, however, has low ionic and electronic conductivity. Therefore, this present work will focus on the structural modification of TiO₂ nanofibers to improve their efficiency. Accordingly, the hollow ZnO-TiO₂ and Ag₂O-TiO₂ composite hollow fibers will be prepared through coaxial electrospinning of the colloidal solution consisting of Titanium (IV) isopropoxide/ Poly (vinyl acetate)/ Zn particles and Ag particles in case of Ag₂O-TiO₂ fibers, followed by calcination in air at 500 ºC 1 h. Both of added Zn and Ag particles are employed as seeds to generate the growth of ZnO and Ag₂O crystals on the surface of TiO₂ using the hydrothermal treatment at various times and temperatures. The average diameter of both types of the products obtained after hydrothermal treatment increased with increasing time and temperature of hydrothermal treatment. XRD patterns revealed well crystalline features of anatase TiO₂ with ZnO, and Ag₂O. Additionally, the surface area of the obtained hollow fibers was observed by BET surface area. Among the hydrothermally treated ZnO-TiO₂ composite hollow fibers, the fibers which were treated at 115 ºC 0.5 h provided the highest surface area (25.164 m²gˉ¹) compared to the other hydrothermally treated ones. But in case of Ag₂O-TiO₂ composite hollow fibers, the fibers which were treated at 110 ºC 1 h provided the highest surface area (44.960 m²gˉ¹).