Centrifugally spun TiO₂/C composite fibers prepared from TiS₂/PAN precursor fibers as binder-free anodes for LIBS

TiO₂/carbon composite-fiber anodes for lithium ion batteries were prepared through the centrifugal spinning of TiS₂/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers and subsequent thermal treatment. The TiS₂/PAN precursor solutions were prepared by mixing TiS₂ nanoparticles (a 2-D layered structure) with PAN in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The thermal treatment of the TiS₂ in the centrifugally spun PAN fibers resulted in TiO₂/carbon composite fibers. The structure of TiO₂ nanoparticles embedded in the carbon-fiber matrix synthesized from the TiS₂ starting material may accommodate high amounts of Li ions. The TiO₂/C structure may lead to increased specific capacity, improved stability, and enhanced electrochemical performance of the TiO₂/C composite electrode after prolonged charge/discharge cycles. The TiO₂/C composite-fiber anode delivered discharge and charge capacities at the first cycle of 683 mAhg⁻¹ and 356 mAhg⁻¹, respectively, with a reversible charge capacity of 290 mAhg⁻¹ after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg⁻¹. The TiO₂/C composite fibers showed an improvement in the rate performance at higher current densities compared to the graphite anode alone.