Na2Ti3O7 nano fibres as an anode material for rechargeable Na-ion batteries

Na₂Ti₃O₇ has been known for a long time and studied for several applications in sensors, catalysis and in toxic waste removal. The applicability of Na₂Ti₃O₇ as an anode material for rechargeable Na-ion batteries was investigated in this study. Na₂Ti₃O₇ nano fibers were synthesized by hydrothermal technique and characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that spherical Na₂Ti₃O₇ materials consisting of tiny nano fibers have been formed. The electrochemical characterization was performed with Na metal electrode in coin half-cells fabricated in an Ar inert atmosphere. The galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements in the voltage range of 0.02 - 1.9 V revealed the initial discharge capacity of 787.2 mAhg^-1 at C / 10 rate and the discharge capacity was decreased to 55 mAhg^-1 over 30 cycles. The results suggest that the crystalline Na₂Ti₃O₇ nano fibers are suitable to be used as an anode material in rechargeable Na-ion batteries.