Sol–gel nanoglues for an organic binder-free TiO2 nanofiber anode for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A TiO₂ nanofiber anode is glued using a sol–gel reaction to improve cycle performance and Coulombic efficiencies. The hydrolysis-condensation process produces TiO₂ nanoglues consisting of TiO₂ nanoparticles, providing strong adhesion between nanofibers and the current collector as well as between nanofibers, rendering favourable transporting properties of electrons and Li ions in the TiO₂ nanofiber electrode, and eventually leading to the excellent performance of Li ion batteries exhibiting an excellent initial Coulombic efficiency (∼85%), cycle performance up to 100 cycles, and high rate capability (60% at 5 C).