Self-Assembled TiO2–Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures for Enhanced Li-Ion Insertion

Abstract

We used anionic sulfate surfactants to assist the stabilization of graphene in aqueous solutions and facilitate the self-assembly of in situ grown nanocrystalline TiO₂, rutile and anatase, with graphene. These nanostructured TiO₂-graphene hybrid materials were used for investigation of Li-ion insertion properties. The hybrid materials showed significantly enhanced Li-ion insertion/extraction in TiO₂. The specific capacity was more than doubled at high charge rates, as compared with the pure TiO₂ phase. The improved capacity at high charge−discharge rate may be attributed to increased electrode conductivity in the presence of a percolated graphene network embedded into the metal oxide electrodes.