Synthesis and high lithium electroactivity of rutile TiO2@C nanorods

Rutile TiO2 nanorods were synthesized by surfactant assisted thermal hydrolysis of TiCl4 in an acidic solution. A uniform thin layer of carbon coating on the TiO2 nanorods was formed by in-situ reduction of carbon precursor molecules. The resulting TiO2@C nanorods were subjected to electrochemical measurements for testing their lithium electroactivity. The TiO2@C nanorods show a reversible capacity of ∼220 mA h g⁻¹ at C/5 and ∼185 mA h g⁻¹ at 1C, which are much better than those with bare TiO2 nanorods and commercial P25 nanoparticles measured under the same conditions. The significantly enhanced reversible capacity and rate capability evinces the dramatic increase of the average electron conductivity and structural stability of the anode composite material due to the thin carbon coating layer.