Ti2Nb10O29 anchored on Aspergillus Oryzae spore carbon skeleton for advanced lithium ion storage

Abstract High-performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy/power density are always the persistent pursuit of people. High-quality anode is the key point for the performance improvement of LIBs. In this work, a facile combined strategy is proposed to construct integrated TNO/AOSC electrode, in which Aspergillus Oryzae Spore Carbon (AOSC) conductive matrix is employed to hold Ti2Nb10O29 (TNO) nanoparticles. The TNO/AOSC not only shortens electron/ion transfer pathway on account of the nanostructure of TNO, but also provides better chemical stability from AOSC skeleton. Accordingly, the preeminent rate capacity (135.2 mA h g−1 at 10C) and relatively superior cycle stability (a capacity of 149.8 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 1C) are obtained for the TNO/AOSC, much better than TNO counterpart. The superior performance of the TNO/AOSC can be ascribed to the beneficial synergistic factors on enhanced electronic conductivity and solider structure from AOSC substrate. This intriguing design strategy may trigger interest for design of other high-quality electrodes in LIBs.