Rational design of FeTiO₃/C hybrid nanotubes: Promising lithium ion anode with enhanced capacity and cycling performance

Ilmenite FeTiO3 has the advantage of high theoretical capacity and abundant sources as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, it suffers inferior rate capability caused by the aggregation of particles. To solve this problem, FeTiO3 nanoparticles embedded in porous CNTs were developed by the sol-gel route and subsequent calcination. The unique hybrids have a uniform distribution of FeTiO3 nanoparticles (5-20 nm) in the carbon matrix. Electrochemical tests prove that the porous FeTiO3/C hybrid nanotubes deliver a high capacity of 612.5 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 300 cycles. Moreover, they present remarkable rate capability and exceptional cycling stability, possessing 163.8 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 for 1000 cycles. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the FeTiO3/C hybrid is derived from the shortened Li+ transport length, good structure stability and conductive carbon matrix, which simultaneously solves the major problems of pulverization and agglomeration of FeTiO3 nanoparticles during cycling.