(0 0 1) faceted mesoporous anatase TiO₂ microcubes as superior insertion anode in practical Li-ion configuration with LiMn₂O₄

Anatase TiO₂ microcubes with a unique (0 0 1) facets, single crystalline nature and highly uniform mesoporous morphology are shown to yield an excellent performance as efficient insertion anode material for lithium-ion battery application in both half cell (Li/TiO₂) and full-cell (LiMn₂O₄/TiO₂) assemblies. This material displays a stable reversible capacity of ~150 mA h g^-1 (current density of 150 mA g^-1) after 250 cycles with capacity retention of ~73% in the half-cell configuration. In full-cell assembly with spinel LiMn₂O₄ it shows remarkable ~74% retention of the initial capacity after 1000 cycles at 2 C rate, with an operating potential of ~2.2 V which is the one of the most stable performances shown for anatase TiO₂ based Li-ion batteries in a full-cell assembly. We also highlight and discuss the effective contributions of mesopores and single crystalline nature along with the highly exposed (0 0 1) facets towards such efficient Li-insertion/extraction processes over a long duration as revealed from cycling stability.