Low temperature molten salt synthesis of anatase TiO2 and its electrochemical properties

This study investigates the electrochemical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles that were obtained using molten salt method (MSM) synthesis when applied as anodic material for lithium-ion batteries. TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized from 0.62LiNO(3):0.38LiOH molten salt at 180 degrees C for 2 h in air followed by reheating at 300 degrees C for 2 h in air. Another separate sample was prepared in addition to molten salt and urea was added then heated at 180 degrees C for 2 h. X-ray diffraction studies showed a single anatase phase, with characteristic lattice parameter values of a = 3.81 angstrom and c = 9.46 angstrom. Cyclic voltammetry studies on the TiO2 nanoparticles show main cathodic and anodic redox peaks at similar to 1.7 and similar to 1.9 V respectively. Further galvanostatic discharge-charge cycling studies were performed on all samples at a current rate of 30 mA/g.TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized at 180 degrees C for 2 hand treated with urea delivered a high reversible capacity of similar to 275 mAh/g, whereas TiO2 reheated at 300 degrees C displayed a capacity of similar to 215 mAh/g. In both compounds capacity fading was found to be at 9.8 to 15% between 5 and 60 cycles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.