In Situ Fabrication of Hierarchically Branched TiO₂ Nanostructures: Enhanced Performance in Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution and Li–Ion Batteries

Abstract

1D branched TiO nanomaterials play a significant role in efficient photocatalysis and high-performance lithium ion batteries. In contrast to the typical methods which generally have to employ epitaxial growth, the direct in situ growth of hierarchically branched TiO nanofibers by a combination of the electrospinning technique and the alkali-hydrothermal process is presented in this work. Such the branched nanofibers exhibit improvement in terms of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (0.41 mmol g h ), in comparison to the conventional TiO nanofibers (0.11 mmol g h ) and P25 (0.082 mmol g h ). Furthermore, these nanofibers also deliver higher lithium specific capacity at different current densities, and the specific capacity at the rate of 2 C is as high as 201. 0 mAh g , roughly two times higher than that of the pristine TiO nanofibers.

In Situ Fabrication of Branched TiO2/C Nanofibers as Binder‐Free and Free‐Standing Anodes for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…The amorphous regions around the lattice fringes reflected the disordered carbon phase, and the lattice of graphitic carbon can also be observed clearly (Figure S2, Supporting Information). This feature can not only reinforce the connection between the branches and the trunk, but also provide smooth migration channels for electrons, and ions for the branches were in situ grown on the trunks . The elemental mapping analysis of a single BT/C NF in Figure c further certified the successful preparation of branched TiO 2 /C nanofibers.…”

“…In contrast, the T/C NFs' electrode delivered a relatively low discharge capacity of 147.6 mA h g −1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the discharge capacity of BT/C NFs was also much higher than that of pure branched TiO 2 NFs without carbon and pure carbon derived from electrospinning of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP; Figure S9, Supporting Information).…”

“…Wang et al demonstrated a facile one‐pot strategy to synthesize branched TiO 2 architectures, the reversible specific capacity, and rate performance was remarkably enhanced for LIBs. Previously, our group fabricated branched TiO 2 nanofibers via an in situ preparation method, which also possessed excellent Li + storage performance …”

Carbon‐Based Alloy‐Type Composite Anode Materials toward Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…In recent years, the important energy source for portable devices, hybrid, and electric vehicles are lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) that attained momentous achievement. Nevertheless, the lithium resources are very limited to fulfill the industrial demands of LIBs because the costs of LIBs are increasing . So, the researchers espousal a proactive attitude to explore an alternative energy storage technology consisting of naturally abundant metals like sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium .…”

Single‐Nanostructured Electrochemical Detection for Intrinsic Mechanism of Energy Storage: Progress and Prospect

“…Single‐nanostructured electrodes, including nanoparticles, nanorods, nanotubes, nanowires (NWs), and nanoribbons, have appealed extensive interest for their exceptional functional properties . For energy storage appliances, the single‐nanostructured electrodes endow many advantages like short path for the electron transportation, high surface area, shortened ion diffusion length, and facile strain respite upon electrochemical cycling. For advancement of energy storage appliances, these properties play a significant role.…”