Synthesis of one-dimensional yolk-shell Sb2O3/TiO2 composite as an anode material for enhanced lithium-storage properties

A one-dimensional yolk-shell Sb2O3/TiO2 composite with excellent lithium-storage properties has been successfully fabricated, including preparation of one-dimensional Sb2O3 precursor and coating of TiO2 film. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the Sb2O3/TiO2 composite can display the initial discharge specific capacity of 1285 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) and maintain a discharge specific capacity of 579 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles, approximately 2.7 times as high as the pure Sb2O3. The excellent lithium-storage properties can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the one-dimensional structural Sb2O3 and the TiO2 film, in which the external TiO2 shell can effectively restrain the volume expansion during the charge and discharge cycle, making the electrochemical reaction highly reversible.