Sol-gel nanoglues for an organic binder-free TiO2 nanofiber anode for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A TiO2 nanofiber anode is glued using a sol-gel reaction to improve cycle performance and Coulombic efficiencies. The hydrolysis-condensation process produces TiO2 nanoglues consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles, providing strong adhesion between nanofibers and the current collector as well as between nanofibers, rendering favourable transporting properties of electrons and Li ions in the TiO2 nanofiber electrode, and eventually leading to the excellent performance of Li ion batteries exhibiting an excellent initial Coulombic efficiency (similar to 85%), cycle performance up to 100 cycles, and high rate capability (60% at 5 C).