Synthesis of carbon coated nanoporous microcomposite and its rate capability for lithium ion battery

Carbon coated nanoporous TiO2 was prepared by calcining the nano polystyrene template filling with TiO2 precursor in the air followed by dipping into a sucrose solution and heat-treating in argon atmosphere. The synthesized composite presents an interconnected conductive carbon architecture, which is favourable for the transportation of lithium ions and electrons during cycling. In addition, the nano carbon coating can keep the structural stability of TiO2 during cycling. As a result, at high discharge and charge rates the polarization is decreased, the reversible capacity and the coulomb efficiency in the first cycle are increased, and excellent cycling performance in combination of good rate capability has been achieved. This strategy to synthesize conductive carbon coated nanoporous materials will be helpful for the further development of electrode material for lithium ion batteries, presenting their potential application in electric vehicles. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.