A chronicle of titanium niobium oxide materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries: From laboratory to industry

Titanium niobium oxide (TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x) is emerging as a promising electrode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its exceptional safety characteristics, high electrochemical properties (e.g., cycling stability and rate performance), and eco-friendliness. However, several intrinsic critical drawbacks, such as relatively low electrical conductivity, significantly hinder its practical applications. Developing reliable strategies is crucial to accelerating the practical use of TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x-based materials in LIBs, especially high-power LIBs. Here, we provide a chronicle review of the research progress on TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x-based anodes from the early 1950s to the present, which is classified into early stage (before 2008), emerging stage (2008–2012), explosive stage (2013–2017), commercialization (2018), steady development (2018–2022), and new breakthrough stage (since 2022). In each stage, the advancements in the fundamental science and application of the TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x-based anodes are reviewed, and the corresponding developing trends of TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x-based anodes are summarized. Moreover, several future research directions to propel the practical use of TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x anodes are suggested based on reviewing the history. This review is expected to pave the way for developing the fabrication and application of high-performance TiNb_xO_2 + 2.5x-based anodes for LIBs.