In this study, the performance of titanium oxide to be used as an anode in lithium ion batteries has been improved by producing this oxide in nanofibrous form and outgrowing zinc oxide nanobranches around the titanium oxide nanofibers obtained. First, electrospinning of a colloidal solution consisting of titanium isopropoxide/poly(vinyl acetate) zinc nanoparticles has been achieved to produce polymeric nanofibers embedding solid nanoparticles. Calcination of the electrospun nanofibers mats obtained in air at 600 degrees C produced TiO2 nanofibers containing ZnO nanoparticles; ZnO-doped TiO2 nanofibers. The ZnO nanoparticles formed have been exploited as seeds to outgrow ZnO branches around the TiO2 nanofibers using a hydrothermal technique. As an anode in a lithium ion battery, the prepared nanostructure exhibited a high rate capacity of 1232 mAhg(-1). Considering the distinct physiochemical characteristics of TiO2, the proposed nanostructure might open an avenue for TiO2 to be used for high energy density lithium-ion batteries with higher performances.

Keywords: Titanium oxide; Zinc oxide; Lithium ion batteries; Electrospinning