Electrospun silicon/carbon/titanium oxide composite nanofibers for lithium ion batteries

Si/C/TiO₂ composite nanofibers have been prepared via a facile electrospinning method combined with a sol-gel chemistry, whose electrochemical performance as anode materials in lithium-ion battery was evaluated. As-prepared nanofibers (NFs) were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyzer to identify their morphology, phase, crystallinity and compositions. Rutile phase TiO₂ nanofibers demonstrated a relatively low gravimetric specific capacity of ∼83 mAh g^-1 when discharged at 0.1C. In contrast, composite nanofibers possess a much higher gravimetric specific capacity. When the Si to C mass ratio is of 0.217, a specific capacity as high as 720 mAh g^-1 can be attained, 94% of which can be maintained after 55 cycles. The enhanced cycling stability of micron silicon materials is attributed to the space confinement provided by the structurally stable TiO ₂. These findings can provide a beneficial guidance for future lithium ion battery electrode development.