Biowaste-derived graphitic carbon interfaced TiO2 as anode for lithium-ion battery

Abstract

Facile application of carbon derived from natural resources and its composites with transition metal oxides for energy storage has attracted great interest. The synthesis procedure of these hybrid composites is complicated and requires various toxic chemicals. To address the above issues in the present investigation, we synthesized mentha aquatica (MA) biowaste-derived graphitic carbon titanium dioxide (TMGCs) composite through a facile biogenic single precursor approach. The MA leaves extract was used to synthesize TiO2 (TDO) nanoparticles, and MGCs was obtained from the remaining residue. The structural integrity of the composite is identified using analytical tools. The formed TMGCs composite, when used as a lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode, reveals improved Li+ ion storage capabilities than those of pristine TDO and MGCs anodes. The TMGCs hybrid composite anode shows an initial discharge capacity of 597 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) with excellent restoration (similar to 100% at 0.1 A g(-1)) and retention (94% at 0.5 A g(-1)) capabilities at the associated applied current rates. Moreover, the hybrid composite anode reveals excellent coulombic efficiency (eta = 103, similar to 102, and 100% at 0.5, 2.0, and 5.0 A g(-1), respectively) even after long-term discharge-charge stabilities over 1000 cycles. The enhanced storage performance of the TMGCs composite can be attributed to the improved conductivity and efficient Li+ ion transport, which is a result of the high specific surface area associated with the mesopores TiO2 structure and the warped carbon sheets.