Porous nano-silicon/TiO2/rGO@carbon architecture with 1000-cycling lifespan as superior durable anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Novel porous nano-silicon/TiO2/rGO@carbon anodes with superior lifespan and desirable cycling stability are prepared by a step-wise synthetic procedure. The hybrid exhibits a high specific capacity of 1073.43\xa0mAh\xa0g−1 at a current density of 500\xa0mA\xa0g−1. Additionally, it delivers a reversible capacity of 724.08\xa0mAh\xa0g−1 at 1000\xa0mA\xa0g−1 even after 1000 long-term cycles. Simultaneously, a large average capacity is reinstated after cycling at high rates, such as 994.76, 743.33, and 599.70\xa0mAh\xa0g−1 at 1000, 2000, and 3000\xa0mA\xa0g−1, respectively. The greatly ameliorative electrochemical characteristics could be attributed to the abundant buffering space of hierarchical architecture, good separation of mechanically robust anatase-TiO2, sustainable confinement of elastic carbon skeletons, as well as improved electrical conductivity of rGO, which could suppress drastic volume variations and promote multiple Li+/electron transport without distinct pulverization.