TiO nanotubes wrapped with reduced graphene oxide as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Through electrostatic interaction and high-temperature reduction methods, rGO was closely coated onto the surface of TiO nanotubes. Even at a high temperature of 700 °C, the nanotube morphology of TiO (anatase) was preserved because of the assistance of rGO, which provides a framework that prevents the tubes from breaking into particles and undergoing a phase transformation. The rGO/TiO nanotubes deliver a high capacity (263 mAh g at the end of 100 cycles at 0.1 A g), excellent rate performance (151 mAh g at 2 A g and 102 mAh g at 5 A g), and good cycle stability (206 mAh g after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g). These characteristics arise from the GO/TiO nanotubes' advanced structure. First, the closely coated rGO and Ti in the tubes give rise to a high electro-conductivity of the nanotubes. Additionally, the Li ions can rapidly transfer into the electrode via the nanotubes' empty inner diameter and short tube wall.