General synthesis and electrochemical performance of TiO ₂-based microspheres with core-shell structure

A facile general route is developed to fabricate TiO ₂-based microspheres with a core-shell structure. The electrochemical performance of the as-prepared composite as an anode material is investigated by galvanostatic method. It is demonstrated that Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/TiO ₂ microspheres present a better discharge and cycle performance compared with blank TiO ₂ and carbon/TiO ₂ microspheres. At a current density of 2000 mA g ^-1, the discharge capacity of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/TiO ₂ microspheres can be stably retained at 130 mAh g ^-1 after the 40th cycle. Its excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the mesoporous hierarchical structure and introduction of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) buffer layer.