Facile synthesis of Ag nanowires/mesoporous TiO2 core–shell nanocables with improved properties for lithium storage

Abstract

In this paper, coaxial nanocables formed of Ag nanowires with a mesoporous structured TiO₂ layer coating (denoted as Ag/TiO₂) were successfully fabricated through a facile sol–gel method combined with a hydrothermal treatment process and a short post-annealing procedure. The composite nanostructures show the unique feature of a uniform core–shell structure with highly crystalline nanocrystals, small size (∼6 nm), uniform mesopores (∼9 nm), high surface area (∼93.6 m² g⁻¹) and highly conductive Ag nanowire which favor the excellent electrochemical performance of the Ag/TiO₂ nanocable electrode. The resultant Ag/TiO₂ nanocables could deliver a superior lithium storage capability (a stable reversible capacity of ∼160 mA h g⁻¹ after 230 cycles at a current density of 1 C).