Porous TiNb2O7 Nanospheres as ultra Long-life and High-power Anodes for Lithium-ion Batteries

Abstract Porous TiNb 2 O 7 nanospheres comprised of nanoparticles have been synthesized with the assistance of block copolymer P123 (EO 20 PO 70 EO 20 ). Such porous TiNb 2 O 7 nanospheres, with diameter of 500 nm, exhibit a BET surface area of 23.4 m 2 /g and pore volume of 0.155 cm 3 /g. As the anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the TiNb 2 O 7 nanospheres present a reversible capacity of 160 mA h/g after 10000 cycles at 5 C with a capacity loss of only 0.0033% per cycle, and good rate performance of 167 mA h/g at 50 C. Furthermore, the TiNb 2 O 7 materials still maintain the morphology of nanospheres and the porous structure even after 10000 cycles.