LAUSR

Abstract Graphene-based composite materials have attracted much attention as anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, TiO2 nanorods anchored on reduced graphene oxide (R-TiO2/rGO) composite were fabricated by hydrothermal method after annealing treatment and then explored as anode material for LIBs. The resultant R-TiO2/rGO samples possess TiO2 nanorods (with a section width of ~5 nm) on the surface of RGO sheets and a specific surface area of 149.5 m2 g−1. Notably, the electrodes deliver high reversible capacities of 267 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 100 cycles and 151 mA h g−1 at 10 C after 500 cycles (1 C = 168 mA g−1, voltage window: 0.01–3 V), respectively. Furthermore, the electrodes exhibit a remarkable rate capability of 55 mA h g−1 at 30 C, and a high coulombic efficiency (~99.5%). Moreover, the sample displays 96 mA h g−1 at 10 C after 1000 cycles ranged from 1 to 3 V. Such a favorable performance can be ascribed to the RGO sheets that facilitate the transport of Li+ and electrons during the lithium cycling process while, the pseudo-capacitance contribution may also be partially responsible for the excellent energy storage performance. This suggests the R-TiO2/rGO composite as a promising anode material for long-term LIBs.