Biphase-Interface Enhanced Sodium Storage and Accelerated Charge Transfer: Flower-Like Anatase/Bronze TiO/C as an Advanced Anode Material for Na-Ion Batteries.

Flower-like assembly of ultrathin nanosheets composed of anatase and bronze TiO embedded in carbon is successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction, followed with a high-temperature annealing. As an anode material in sodium-ion batteries, this composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances. It delivers a reversible capacity of 120 mA h g over 6000 cycles at 10 C. Even at 100 C, there is still a capacity of 104 mA h g. Besides carbon matrix and hierarchical structure, abundant interfaces between anatase and bronze greatly enhance the performance by offering additional sites for reversible Na storage and improving the charge-transfer kinetics. The interface enhancements are confirmed by discharge/charge profiles, rate performances, electrochemical impedance spectra, and first-principle calculations. These results offer a new pathway to upgrade the performances of anode materials in sodium-ion batteries.