# The Effect of TiO2 on the Electrochemical Performance of Sb2O3 Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries
###### Abstract
The Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)/rGO composite exhibited a reversible capacity of 513 mAh g\({}^{-1}\) after 300 cycles at 500 mA g\({}^{-1}\). The methods mentioned above showed great advancements towards supporting Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) as a potential anode material. Nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO\({}_{2}\)) materials have also been used as anodes for LIBs [35; 36]. TiO\({}_{2}\) is known for its synergistic effect on the electrochemical performance of TiO\({}_{2}\)-based composite electrodes of lowering the volume change during and after cycling, since it shows a low volume change of 5% after prolonged charge/discharge cycles [37]. Results reported in the literature showed that introducing the TiO\({}_{2}\) phase into the TiO\({}_{2}\)-based composite electrode resulted in improved electrochemical performance of the electrode, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of TiO\({}_{2}\) on reducing the diffusion resistance, enhancing the interfacial electron transfer and lowering the volume change of the electrode [38; 39]. In fact, introducing TiO\({}_{2}\) into the TiO\({}_{2}\)/Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) system can cause the development of an internal field and/or condense phase interface that initiates the synergy between TiO\({}_{2}\) and Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)[38; 39]. In addition, TiO\({}_{2}\) is known to show a high charge/discharge plateau (operating voltage)--higher than 1.5 V--which can prevent the reaction with the electrolyte and of dendrite formation, thus resulting in good electrochemical stability of the TiO\({}_{2}\)-based composite electrode [40; 41]. For instance, composites of TiO\({}_{2}\) alloyed with transition metal oxides such as SnO\({}_{2}\), MoO\({}_{2}\) and Fe\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) have been widely used as anode materials for LIBs due to their low volume change (<5%), safety, low cost and long cycle [42] life [42; 43; 44]. [PERSON] et al. prepared biomass-derived carbon/MoO\({}_{2}\)@TiO\({}_{2}\) anode material via hydrothermal processing [45]. The MoO\({}_{2}\)/TiO\({}_{2}\)/C composite electrode exhibited a near steady specific capacity of 600 mAh g\({}^{-1}\) at 100 mA g\({}^{-1}\) after 100 cycles. [PERSON] et al. synthesized SnO\({}_{2}\)/TiO\({}_{2}\) micro belt-fibers for use as an anode material in LIBs [46]. The SnO\({}_{2}\)/TiO\({}_{2}\) composite-fiber anode delivered a capacity of 279 mAh g\({}^{-1}\) after 70 cycles at 100 mA g\({}^{-1}\) and demonstrated better rate capability than pure SnO\({}_{2}\). The addition of TiO\({}_{2}\) to the SnO\({}_{2}\) precursor solution resulted in an efficient network of SnO\({}_{2}\)/TiO\({}_{2}\) micro-belt fibers with better lithium-ion transport and storage [46]. Off-stoichiometric TiO\({}_{2-x}\) nanoparticles were used to decorate the surface of graphite [47]. The TiO\({}_{2}\)-coated strategy led to the formation of different phases of TiO\({}_{2}\), such as anatase and rutile, which resulted in improving the electrochemical performance of the graphite anode [47]. In fact, the electrochemical performance of TiO\({}_{2}\) composite anodes can depend on the type of TiO\({}_{2}\) phase in the composite anode [42]. There are many different reasons for the generation of different phases of TiO\({}_{2}\), some as simple as the starting materials and reaction temperature. For example, using sodium sulfate and TiCl\({}_{3}\), one can consistently form an anatase phase at 100 \({}^{\circ}\)C. However, by changing the sodium sulfate for sodium acetate one can consistently synthesis brookite [48]. [PERSON] et al. reported results on the synthesis of a 1D Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)@TiO\({}_{2}\) hollow composite using the Kirkendall method for use as an anode in LIBs TiO\({}_{2}\)[49]. The Sb\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)@TiO\({}_{2}\) composite electrode delivered a high reversible capacity of 593 mAh g\({}^{-1}\) after 100 cycles at 100 mA g\({}^{-1}\). After 600 cycles, the composite electrode retained a discharge capacity of 439 mAh g\({}^{-1}\) at 500 mA g\({}^{-1}\). [PERSON] et al.