Nanoconic TiO2 hollow spheres: novel buffers architectured for high-capacity anode materials

Abstract

An attempt has been carried out here to use nanoconic TiO2 hollow spheres as buffers to accommodate the volume expansion of high-capacity materials. Based on the TiO2 hollow spheres, we tailor-designed a novel composite, in which the high Li+-transport dynamics of titanate hollow spheres (TiO2) and the high capacity of tin oxide (SnO2) were intimately integrated into a hierarchical architecture of nanocones, while the unique spatial arrangement of the SnO2 component in the nano-cavities effectively accommodates the volume change during lithiation/de-lithiation, hence rendering the composite stable cycling life. Electrochemical tests revealed favorable performances of the composite SnO2–TiO2 nanocones in terms of enhanced lithium storage capacity, stable cycle life and improved rate performance compared with each material components.