Facile Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Nanospheres as Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Anatase TiO2 nanospheres (ATNSs) were successfully prepared through a facile solvothermal method followed by a thermal treatment. The sample was characterized by scanning electrons microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum and nitrogen adsorption techniques. When tested as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries, the electrode of ATNSs delivered a large discharge capacity of 208 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g−1, indicating excellent cycling performance. This could be attributed to the uniform structure of the nanospheres with large surface area and porous nature, providing more active sites, buffering volume change, and facilitating the sodium ion intercalation as well as rapid diffusion during the charge/discharge process. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the sodium storage mechanism is mainly controlled by pseudocapacitive behavior, resulting in a large capacity and outstanding cycling stability.