Hierarchical C/SiO_x/TiO₂ ultrathin nanobelts as anode materials for advanced lithium ion batteries

TiO₂-based nanomaterials are demonstrated to be a promising candidate for next generation lithium ion batteries due to their stable performance and easy preparation. However, their inherent low capacity impedes their wide application compared to commercial carbon nanomaterials. Here we present a unique in situ grafting-graphitization method to achieve a ternary nanocomposite of C/SiO_x/TiO₂ ultrathin nanobelts with a core–shell heterostructure. The obtained ternary nanocomposite integrates the merits of high specific capacity of SiO_x, the excellent mechanical stability of graphite-like carbon and the high reactivity of TiO₂. Cyclic voltammetric curves and cycling performance manifest the optimal ternary nanocomposite and deliver a very high initial specific capacity of ∼1196 mA h g⁻¹ with both good rate capability (∼200 mA h g⁻¹ up to 10 C) and especially enhanced cycle stability. Our work demonstrates that building hierarchical core–shell heterostructures is an effective strategy to improve capacity and cycling performance in other composite anodes for electrochemical energy storage materials. (paper)