Synthesis of One-Dimensional Mesoporous Ag Nanoparticles-Modified TiO2 Nanofibers by Electrospinning for Lithium Ion Batteries

TiO2 is regarded as a prospective electrode material owing to its excellent electrochemical properties such as the excellent cycling stability and the high safety. However, its low capacity and low electronic conductivity greatly restrict the further improvement in electrochemical performance. A new strategy was put forward to solve the above defects involved in TiO2 in which the low capacity was enhanced by nanomerization and porosity of TiO2, and the low electronic conductivity was improved by introducing Ag with a high conductivity. One-dimensional mesoporous Ag nanoparticles-embedded TiO2 nanofibers (Ag@TiO2 nanofibers) were successfully synthesized via a one-step electrospinning process combined with subsequent annealing treatment in this study. The microstructure and morphology of mesoporous TiO2@Ag nanofibers were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. TiO2 nanofibers mainly consisted of a large amount of anatase TiO2, accompanied with traces of rutile TiO2. Ag nanoparticles were uniformly distributed throughout TiO2 nanofibers and promoted the transformation of TiO2 from the anatase to the rutile. The corresponding electrochemical performances are measured by galvanostatic charge-discharge, cycle stability, rate performance, cycle voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements in this research, with pristine TiO2 nanofibers as the reference. The results indicated that the introduction of Ag nanoparticles into TiO2 nanofibers significantly improved the diffusion coefficient of Li ions (5.42 x 10(-9) cm(2).s(-1) for pristine TiO2, 1.96 x 10(-8) cm(2).s(-1) for Ag@TiO2), and the electronic conductivity of TiO2 (1.69 x 10(-5) S.cm(-1) for pristine TiO2, and 1.99 x 10(-5) S.cm(-1) for Ag@TiO2), based on which the comprehensive electrochemical performance were greatly enhanced. The coulombic efficiency of the Ag@TiO2 nanofibers electrode at the first three cycles was about 56%, 93%, and 96%, which was higher than that without Ag (48%, 66%, and 79%). The Ag@TiO2 nanofibers electrode exhibited a higher specific discharge capacity of about 128.23 mAh.g(-1) when compared with that without Ag (72.76 mAhg(-1)) after 100 cycles at 100 mAg(-1). With the current density sharply increased from 40 mAg(-1) to 1000 mAg(-1), the higher average discharge capacity of 56.35 mAhg(-1) was remained in the electrode with Ag, when compared with the electrode without Ag (average discharge capacity of about 12.14 mAhg(-1)). When the current density was returned to 40 mAg(-1), 80.36% of the initial value was returned (about 162.25 mAhg(-1)) in the electrode with Ag, which was evidently superior to that without Ag (about 86.50 mAhg(-1), only 55.42% of the initial value). One-dimensional mesoporous Ag@TiO2 nanofibers can be regarded as a potential and promising candidate as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.