Effect of Calcination Temperature on the Lithiation Capacities of Carbon-Coated Titania Nanotubes Synthesized by Anodization

Carbon-coated titania nanotubes are synthesized via anodization in perchlorate containing electrolyte and subsequent hydrothermal reaction with glucose. Carbon coating improves the lithiation capacity of the titania nanotubes only when calcined at temperatures above 600 degrees C, and the maximum capacity is similar to 162 mAhg(-1) at the 50th cycle from the titania nanotubes calcined at 700 degrees C. The improved capacity of carbon-coated titania nanotubes is caused by the enhanced conductivity from the carbon. This is different from the role of the carbon coating in the hydrothermally prepared carbon-coated titania nanotubes, in which the coated carbon limits severe agglomeration.