Titanium oxides have many prominent features, such as high
capacity, good kinetic characteristics, good structure robustness and
safety, wide availability, and low toxicity [18]. Titanium oxides are
regarded as promising anode materials for rechargeable lithium
batteries and attracted considerable attention recently. TiO2 has
several polymorphs, including anatase, rutile, brookite, and TiO2-B
[85–88]. Amongst these polymorphs, anatase is probably the most
electrochemically active one [89]. As Liþ diffusion in TiO2 framework
is highly anisotropic along the c axis, much faster lithium
diffusion in both anatase and rutile crystal phase are discovered
[90–92]. The major issues of TiO2-based anodes are the poor Liþ
transport kinetics and the relatively low electronic conductivity,
impacting the rate performance of these anodes [93]. The Liþ diffusion
coefficient within a given electrode material is a constant.
The Liþ transport efficiency is largely determined by the diffusion
distance. Reducing the particle size would shorten the Liþ diffusion
length, consequently improving Liþ transport kinetics and increasing
the rate capability of TiO2. Thus, the structure and morphology
control is essential and highly desired to improve Liþ and electron
transport kinetics and the electrochemical performance of TiO