Construction of 2D/1D rGO/H₂Ti₃O₇ composite as anode for high performance lithium-ion batteries

Ultrafine one-dimensional (1D) H₂Ti₃O₇ nanowires were prepared by a hydrothermal reaction with high concentration of KOH as base source. Then 2D/1D rGO/H₂Ti₃O₇ architecture was constructed and investigated as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Benefiting from the addition of rGO nanosheets and the retention of ultrafine 1D H₂Ti₃O₇ nanowires, the rGO/H₂Ti₃O₇ electrode presented superior electrochemical performance with excellent rate capability, long cycling stability and high capacity in half cells. It delivered high reversible capacities of 274 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and 163 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, as well as a long-term cycling performance (259.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles). The excellent electrochemical performance of the composite can be attributed to the unique architecture with smaller diameter of 1D H₂Ti₃O₇ nanowires and conductive rGO nanosheets to shorten the transmission distance of electrons and Li⁺ and improve the electrical conductivity in rGO/H₂Ti₃O₇ composite.