Carbon-Coated Magneli-Phase TinO2n-1 Nanomaterials and a Method of Synthesis Thereof

摘要

A novel Magnéli phase nanomaterial with carbon coating is disclosed. The present Magnéli phase material, which can form a nanowire, a nanobelt, a nanoparticle, a nanocrystal, or a nanosheet, includes at least a Magnéli phase core having a substoichiometric composition of titanium oxide having a formula Ti_nO_2n-1, where n is between 4 and 10, and at least a carbon-based outer shell surrounding the Magnéli phase core. The shape-features of the carbon-coated Magnéli phase material of the present invention ensure that at least one dimension of it is nanoscale, and therefore has a high surface area. By having the high surface area, the Faradaic reaction can be processed more efficiently, and consequently attain higher capacity, higher power-density, and cycling stability. The present disclosure further encompasses a method of synthesizing these nanoscale Magnéli phase materials.