文摘
Mesoporous anatase TiO<sub>2sub>/carbon composite nanospheres (designated as meso-ATCCNs) were successfully synthesized via a facile soft-templated self-assembly followed by thermal treatment. Structural and morphological analyses reveal that the as-synthesized meso-ATCCNs are composed of primary TiO<sub>2sub> nanoparticles (∼5 nm), combined with in situ deposited carbon either on the surface or between the primary TiO<sub>2sub> nanoparticles. When cycled in an extended voltage window from 0.01 to 3.0 V, meso-ATCCNs exhibit excellent rate capabilities (413.7, 289.7, and 206.8 mAh g<sup>–1sup> at 200, 1000, and 3000 mA g<sup>–1sup>, respectively) as well as stable cyclability (90% capacity retention over 500 cycles at 1000 mA g<sup>–1sup>). Compared with both mesoporous TiO<sub>2sub> nanospheres and bulk TiO<sub>2sub>, the superior electrochemical performance of the meso-ATCCNs electrode could be ascribed to a synergetic effect induced by hierarchical structure that includes uniform TiO<sub>2sub> nanoparticles, the presence of hydrothermal carbon derived from phenolic resols, a high surface area, and open mesoporosity.