Publications

Abstract : An optimized amount of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant was used for the first time to fabricate porous TiO2 nanofibers by an electrospinning technique combined with post-annealing at 500 °C for 5 h in air medium. The fabricated porous TiO2 nanofibers were systematically characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, surface area measurements and electrochemical testing. The porous TiO2 nanofibers contained numerous surface pores with an average diameter of ∼80–90 nm. As an anode, the porous TiO2 nanofiber electrode delivered not only a high reversible capacity and excellent cycle stability over 100 cycles but also excellent rate capability at various current rates in comparison to control TiO2 nanofibers (prepared in the absence of CTAB). The rapid transportation of lithium ions and reduced lithium ion diffusion length probably are responsible for the improved electrochemical performances of the porous TiO2 nanofiber electrode synthesized in the presence of the CTAB surfactant.