Graphene nanosheets as a platform for the 2D ordering of metal oxide nanoparticles: Mesoporous 2D aggregate of anatase TiO ₂ nanoparticles with improved electrode performance

Graphene nanosheets are successfully applied as an effective platform for the 2D ordering of metal oxide nanoparticles. Mesoporous 2D aggregates of anatase TiO ₂ nanoparticles are synthesized by the heat treatment of the uniformly hybridized nanocomposite of layered titanate-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) at elevated temperatures. The precursor layered titanate-RGO nanocomposite is prepared by self-assembly of anionic RGO nanosheets and cationic TiO ₂ nanosols. The calcination of the as-prepared layered titanate-RGO nanocomposite at 500 °C induces a structural and morphological change of layered titanate nanoplates into anatase TiO ₂ nanoparticles without significant modification of the RGO nanosheet. Increasing the heating temperature to 600 °C gives rise to elimination of the RGO component, leading to the formation of sheetlike porous aggregates of RGO-free TiO ₂ nanoparticles. The nanocomposites calcined at 500-700 °C display promising functionality as negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries. Among the present calcined derivatives, the 2D sheet-shaped aggregate of TiO ₂ nanoparticles obtained from calcination at 600 °C delivers the greatest specific discharge capacity with good capacity retention for all current density conditions applied. Such superior electrode performance of the nanocomposite calcined at 600 °C is attributable both to the improved stability of the crystal structure and crystal morphology of titania and to the enhancement of Li ⁺ ion transport through the enlargement of mesopores. The present findings clearly demonstrate the usefulness of RGO nanosheets as a platform for 2D-ordered superstructures of metal oxide nanoparticles with improved electrode performance.