Electrochemical Energy Conversion: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

High-power, long-life carbon-coated TiO 2 microsphere electrodes were synthesized by a hydrothermal method for sodium ion batteries, and the electrochemical properties were evaluated as a function of carbon content. The carbon coating, introduced by sucrose addition, had an effect of suppressing the growth of the TiO 2 primary crystallites during calcination. The carbon coated TiO 2 (sucrose 20 wt % coated) electrode exhibited excellent cycle retention during 50 cycles (100%) and superior rate capability up to a 30 C rate at room temperature. This cell delivered a high discharge capacity of 155 mAh g composite ?1 at 0.1 C , 149 mAh g composite ?1 at 1 C , and 82.7 mAh g composite ?1 at a 10 C rate, respectively. Graphic Abstract ACS Electronic Supporting Info