NH2–SiO2@Ti3C2Tx Core–Shell Nanostructures as Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

In this study, NH 2 –SiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 T x core–shell microspheres with different Ti 3 C 2 T x contents are prepared by coating Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets on the surfaces of SiO 2 microspheres using an electrostatic self-assembly method. The structures, elemental compositions, and microscopic morphologies of NH 2 –SiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 T x microspheres are investigated by X-Ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets are uniformly coated on the surfaces of the SiO 2 microspheres, and the surfaces of the SiO 2 microspheres are modified by  NH 2 . The maximum specific surface area of NH 2 –SiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 T x composite doped with 15 wt% Ti 3 C 2 T x is 29.937 m 2 g −1 , with an average pore size of 0.11848 cm 3 g −1 . The electrochemical performance test results show that after 100 cycles at a C rate of 0.2C, the specific capacity of the NH 2 –SiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 T x anode material increases by 270.1% compared to that of SiO 2 , reaching 142.5 mAh g −1 . Compared with SiO 2 , the NH 2 –SiO 2 @Ti 3 C 2 T x materials have higher electrical conductivities and Li ion diffusion rates, thereby improving their rate performances, and the discharge specific capacities and cycling stability are superior to those of the SiO 2 anode material.