Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of Self-Assembled TiO2-B Nanosheets under Microwave Irradiation and Their Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

Self-assembled TiO2-B nanosheets have been successfully synthesized by a rapid, one-pot, ionic-liquid-assisted solvothermal route under microwave irritation. By adjusting the reaction temperature, reaction time, and reactant concentration, the morphology and phase of the as-formed TiO2-B nanostructures can be tailored. The unique role of the ionic liquid in the formation of self-assembled TiO2 nanosheets has been investigated in detail, and a plausible growth mechanism has been proposed. Owing to the synergetic superiority of hierarchical porosity, a fast pseudocapacitive reaction, and large surface area, the electrode prepared from the self-assembled porous TiO2-B nanostructures exhibits high reversible capacity, excellent cyclability, and superior rate capability. The synthetic procedure is simple, efficient, and scalable for mass production. Therefore the as-formed self-assembled TiO2-B nanosheets may offer great potential for next-generation rechargeable batteries with high-power densities, and are flexible building blocks for advanced functional devices.