Controlled nanostructure of a graphene nanosheet‐TiO₂ composite fabricated via mediation of organic ligands for high‐performance Li storage applications

A graphene nanosheet‐TiO₂ nanoparticle composite (L‐GNS‐TiO₂) was prepared for an application as a high‐performance lithium storage device (or lithium‐ion battery anode). The composite features a well‐defined hybrid structure of GNS and homogeneously distributed anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles due to nanoparticulation and modification by organic ligands (polyacrylic acid, tartaric acid, and diethylene glycol). Despite its low overall carbon content (~8.4%), the L‐GNS‐TiO₂ composite‐based anode exhibited highly reversible lithiation/delithiation (Coulombic efficiency >97%), excellent capacity retention (206 (92%) and 331 (147%) mAh g⁻¹ after 50 and 450 cycles, respectively, at 0.15 A g⁻¹) and decent rate capability (164 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.75 A g⁻¹). In addition, the stable morphology/structure of the composite after lengthy cycle tests reflected its mechanical robustness and electrochemical reversibility. The …​​