Cr-Doped TiO2 Core–Shell Nanospheres with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Lithium Storage Capacity

Abstract

Cr-doped TiO2 core-shell nanospheres have been prepared by a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. The as-prepared Cr–TiO2 nanospheres exhibit not only a high visible light activity, but also an excellent lithium storage capacity. Various characterization methods indicate that Cr[Formula: see text] ions are uniformly distributed into the TiO2 lattice and a doping level emerges in the bandgap of TiO2, which leads to a prominent photocatalytic activity. When the Cr–TiO2 nanospheres are employed as lithium battery electrodes, the high lithium storage capacity of Cr2O3 and the p-type conductivity of TiO2 due to doping may be beneficial to improve the electrochemical performances of these electrodes.