Tailoring of phase composition and morphology of TiO 2 -based electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries M. Fehse a, * , F. Fischer b , C. Tessier b , L. Stievano a , L. Monconduit a a ICG-AIME, UMR 5253, Université Montpellier 2, CC 1502, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France b SAFT, Direction de la Recherche,111-113 Bd Alfred Daney, 33074 Bordeaux, France highlights graphical abstract < Wide range of morphology and phase composition by adjusting two synthesis parameters. < Tailoring of phase composition by adjusting alkalinity of hydrothermal synthesis. < Tailoring of morphology in hydro- thermal synthesis by adjusting powder concentration. < Monoclinic TiO 2 (b) phase shows higher rate capability than anatase phase. < Higher internal resistance of anatase compared to TiO 2 (b) is detected. article info Article history: Received 14 September 2012 Received in revised form 11 December 2012 Accepted 14 December 2012 Available online 27 December 2012 Keywords: TiO 2 anatase TiO 2 (b) Hydrothermal synthesis Lithium ion batteries (LIB) Reversible capacity abstract Titanium dioxide mixed phases containing TiO 2 (b) and anatase phase in different ratios were prepared via a facile, template free, low temperature hydrothermal synthesis. Morphology and phase composition were tuned by adequately adjusting the main synthesis parameters, i.e., temperature, powder/liquid ratio and basicity of the mother solution. The effect of different phase compositions on the lithium insertion and de-insertion properties was tested by electrochemical cycling at increasing cycling rates. Results indicate a superiority of monoclinic TiO 2 (b) phase over the tetragonal anatase phase especially at elevated cycling rates. Further analysis shows that internal resistance is one of the major limitations for electrochemical cycling of anatase. Ó 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Lithium ion batteries (LIB) are today’s leading and commercially well established batteries for high power applications. Their high energy density, low memory effect and wide working temperature range make them superior over other battery materials. Continuous research and development ever since its introduction to the market in the early 90’s by SONY has lead to their wide spreading in numerous applications [1,2]. The current anode material of choice is graphite which features good lithium insertion properties and is easily available throughout the world. However, technological progress demands for faster, safer, lighter and higher capacity battery materials. TiO 2 is equally environmentally benign and cost effective but has superior safety and rate capability compared with * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ33 467149099; fax: þ33 467143304. E-mail addresses: mfehse@um2.fr, marcus.fehse@gmail.com (M. Fehse). Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Journal of Power Sources journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpowsour 0378-7753/$ e see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.12.058 Journal of Power Sources 231 (2013) 23e28