MOF-derived mesoporous anatase TiO2 as anode material for lithium–ion batteries with high rate capability and long cycle stability

Mesoporous anatase TiO2 (MAT) with a disk-like morphology was prepared by direct pyrolysis of a titanium metal-organic framework [MIL-125(Ti)] in air. When employed as an anode material for lithium–ion batteries, the as-prepared MAT electrode exhibited superior lithium storage properties with negligible capacity loss at high discharge/charge rates. At 10C rate, the prepared electrode still delivered a high reversible capacity of 127 mA h g−1 after 1100 cycles. The superior battery performance could be attributed to the unique mesoporous structure that promoted Li+ diffusion and shortened the Li+ and e− transport length.