Self‐Assembly Approach for Synthesis of Nanotubular Molybdenum Trioxide/Titania Composite Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A nanotubular composite composed of titania nanotubes coated with a thin layer of molybdenum trioxide was fabricated by employing natural cellulose (ordinary filter paper) as a template. The cellulose nanofibers were precoated with an ultrathin titania gel film by the surface sol–gel process. These nanofibers were then further coated with double layers of a positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) layer and a negatively charged polyoxomolybdate cluster layer deposited by the layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly approach. The as‐prepared composite was calcined in air to yield a series of MoO 3 /TiO 2 nanocomposites with varied contents of MoO 3 . As an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, the composite showed improved electrochemical performances, such as excellent reversible capacity, cycling stability, and rate capability; these benefited from the hierarchical three‐dimensional nanostructures of the composites derived from the cellulose substance, and the buffering effect of the robust titania nanotubes to maintain the structural integrity of the electrode.