Ti3C2 MXene derived carbon-doped TiO2 multilayers anchored with Fe2O3 nanoparticles as anode for enhanced lithium-ion storage

Transition-metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides (MXene) as an emerging two-dimensional semiconductor has open an ideal pathway for fabricating various TiO 2 -based functional materials. In this work, we demonstrate a simple and one-step heat treatment for the fabrication of Ti 3 C 2 MXene-derived carbon-doped TiO 2 /Fe 2 O 3 composite for superior lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As an anode, the as-fabricated composite delivers an excellent lithium-ion storage of 538 mA h/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g and superior rate performance of 152.6 mA h/g at a higher current density of 5 A/g, which is 6 times higher than that of C-doped TiO 2 electrode. In addition, a remarkable cyclic stability with 88.46 % capacity retention is also obtained for the composite anode at a current density of 1 A/g after 1000 cycles. Based on various characterizations, the greatly enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of carbon doping, layered structures of TiO 2 , and the anchoring of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, which effectively promote the charge transport kinetics. This study will broaden the Ti 3 C 2 MXene application in LIBs and meanwhile provide an alternative method for synthesizing more efficient anode materials. • A carbon-doped TiO 2 /Fe 2 O 3 composite derived from Ti 3 C 2 MXene was fabricated. • The as-fabricated composite delivers an enhanced lithium-ion storage performance. • The improved performance can be attributed to the promoted charge transport kinetics. • It will broaden the Ti 3 C 2 MXene application in fabricating efficient anodes of LIBs.