10 μm-thick MoO3-coated TiO2 nanotubes as a volume expansion regulated binder-free anode for lithium ion batteries

• 10 μm–thick TiO 2 nanotubes are decorated with MoO 3 via cyclic voltammetry. • The crystalline MoO 3 was anchored uniformly to the anatase TiO 2 nanotubes. • Binder-free electrode shows a capacity of 451 mAh g −1 at a rate of 1 C after 150 cycles. • MO5@TiO 2 exhibits high capacity retention of 97 % at a rate of 5 C over 500 cycles. • Nanotubular TiO 2 plays a role in regulating the large volume expansion of MoO 3 . In this study, 10 μm-thick TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) coated with a MoO 3 layer were prepared by electrochemical oxidation on titanium foil followed by successive cyclic voltammetric deposition, aiming at the fabrication of a thick binder-free anode with high capacity and good cycling stability for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Through the evaluation of the electrochemical performance of electrodes prepared under various conditions, the electrode obtained at a precursor concentration of 5 mM showed the best electrochemical performance, exhibiting high reversible capacity and enhanced cycling stability. With the structural advantage and intrinsic characteristics of TNAs, the large volume expansion of MoO 3 is successfully accommodated, resulting in 97% retention at a rate of 5 C over 500 cycles and 91% retention even at a high rate of 25 C.