Synthesis of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanostructural anode materials with high charge-discharge capability

This study demonstrates a facile and efficient hydrothermal method to prepare spindle titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ denoted as LTO) and/or carbon-LTO nanocomposites (C-LTO), in which the LTO or C-LTO microspheres have diameters of a few micrometers, composed of numerous nanosheets with thickness of ~30 nm and edge length of hundreds of nanometers. The morphology and size control of these nanoparticles could be achieved by varying experimental parameters including concentration of titanium butoxide, lithium hydroxide, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, as well as reaction temperature and time. These micro-nanostructures were characterized by several advanced techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis, surface area, and electrochemical measurements. The LTO and C-LTO microstructures were examined in the charge-discharge capacity at a rate of 50 C, as well as the stability after 100 cycles at a rate of 10 C. The excellent capability may be attributed to good conductivity, large surface area, and stable assembly structure of such micro-nanostructures, which could be explored as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.