TiO2 Nanoparticles In Situ Formed on Ti3C2 Nanosheets by a One-Step Ethanol-Thermal Method for Enhanced Reversible Lithium-Ion Storage

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional (2D) carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, have been considered as promising anode materials for lithium-ion (Li+) batteries due to their good flexibility and conductivity. Herein, we report a one-step ethanol-thermal method to form titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the surface of Ti3C2 nanosheets with less oxidation and high 2D structural integrity, and meanwhile investigate the properties of reversible Li+ storage. It indicates that a reversible specific capacity of 257.3 mAhg(-1) at the current density of 50 mAg(-1) can be delivered. Moreover, the specific capacity of 141.4 mAhg(-1) with the coulombic efficiency of similar to 100% can be obtained even after 250 cycles at the current density as high as 1 Ag-1. The improved capacity can be attributed to the synergetic effect that prevents stacking of the Ti3C2 nanosheets by the surface-anchored TiO2 nanoparticles and meanwhile avoids agglomerating of TiO2 nanoparticles due to the existence of Ti3C2 nanosheets.