The size-controllable spindle TiO2 nanograins and their lithium storage properties

Nanostructure of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has gained extensive attention in anode material field of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its outstanding structure stability and improved safety over graphite. Herein, facilely controllable synthesis of interestingly spindle TiO₂ nanograins has been achieved by a one-pot hydrothermal and subsequent calcination approach, it is demonstrated that the grain size has a great effect on the electrochemical lithium storage kinetics of as-synthesized TiO₂ nanograins. As a result, the as-prepared TiO₂-0.05M with much smaller size exhibits greatly improved lithium storage performance, delivering a capacity of 120.5 mAh g⁻¹ after even 1000 cycles.