Urchin-like hierarchical Nb₂O₅ microspheres are successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal method in glycerol–isopropanol mixed medium followed by thermal treatment.

We report the synthesis and application of ordered mesoporous TiNb₆O₁₇ microspheres (M-TNO) using a one-step solvothermal method for the first time in lithium-ion batteries.

NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ has attracted great interest as anode material for sodium ion batteries owing to its open three-dimensional framework structure and limited volume changes during the charge and discharge process. However, the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity of NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ needs to be improved for high rate capability. In this work, porous NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ nanocubes anchored on porous carbon nanosheets (NaTi₂(PO₄)₃/C) are designed and developed. This material exhibits a large discharge capacity and good rate capacity including a first discharge capacity of 485 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹, and 98 mAh g⁻¹ retained at a high rate of 4 A g⁻¹ even after 2,000 cycles. These results suggest that NaTi₂(PO₄)₃/C is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries.