Superior Sodium Storage in Na2Ti3O7 Nanotube Arrays through Surface Engineering

Sodium‐ion batteries have attracted extraordinary attention owing to their low cost and raw materials in abundance. A major challenge of practical implementation is the lack of accessible and affordable anodes that can reversibly store a substantial amount of Na ions in a fast and stable manner. It is reported that surface engineered sodium titanate (Na₂Ti₃O₇) nanotube arrays directly grown on Ti substrates can serve as efficient anodes to meet those stringent requirements. The fabrication of the nanotube arrays involves hydrothermal growing of Na₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes, surface deposition of a thin layer of TiO₂, and subsequent sulfidation. The resulting nanoarrays exhibit a high electrochemical Na‐storage activity that outperforms other Na₂Ti₃O₇ based materials. They deliver high reversible capacities of 221 mAh g^?1 and exhibit a superior cycling efficiency and rate capability, retaining 78 mAh g^?1 at 10 C (1770 mA g^?1) over 10 000 continuous cycles. In addition, the full cell consisting of Na₂Ti₃O₇ nanotube anode and Na_2/3(Ni_1/3Mn_2/3)O₂ cathode is capable of delivering a specific energy of ≈110 Wh kg^?1 (based on the mass of both electrodes). The surface engineering can provide useful tools in the development of high performance anode materials with robust power and cyclability.