Anatase-TiO2 as low-cost and sustainable buffering filler for nanosize Silicon anodes in Lithium-ion batteries

The design of effective supporting matrices to efficiently cycle Si nanoparticles is often difficult to be achieved and requires complex preparation strategies. In this work, we present a simple synthesis of low-cost and environmentally benign Anatase-TiO2 nanoparticles as buffering filler for Si nanoparticles (Si@TiO2). Average anatase crystallite size is estimated in 5 nm. A complete structural, morphological and electrochemical characterization is performed. Electrochemical test results show very good specific capacity values around up to 1000 mAhg-1 and cycling at several specific currents, ranging from 500 mAg-1 to 2000 mAg-1, demonstrating a very good tolerance to high cycling rates. Post-mortem morphological analysis shows very good electrode integrity after 100 cycles at 500 mAg-1 specific current.