Mesoporous, micro/nanosized TiO
2/C composites with uniformly dispersed TiO
2 nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix have been rationally designed and synthesized. In brief, TiO
2 precursor was infiltrated into the channels of surface-oxidized mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) by means of electrostatic interaction, followed by in situ hydrolysis and growth of TiO
2 nanocrystallites, resulting in ultrafine TiO
2 nanoparticle confined inside the channels of mesopores carbon. After chemical lithiation and post鈥揳nnealing, TiO
2 nanoparticles were transformed in situ into Li
4Ti
5O
12 to form highly conductivity mesoporous Li
4Ti
5O
12/C composite, as confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and nitrogen sorption isotherms. By combining high electronic conductivity, open mesoporosity, and nanosized active material, coherent mesoporous TiO
2/C and Li
4Ti
5O
12/C nanocomposites demonstrated high rate capability and good cycling properties.
Keywords:
TiO2; Li4Ti5O12; ordered mesoporous structure; lithium ion batteries