Self-assembled Li4Ti5O12/rGO nanocomposite anode for high power lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry communications Vol. 144; p. 109753
• Main Authors: Fang, Wei, Dong, Enjie, Zhang, Yan, Yang, Lijie, Zhang, Ling, Zhang, Hongyuan, Wang, Yinghe, Che, Guangbo, Yin, Geping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2022
• Subjects: High rate; Li4Ti5O12; Lithium-ion batteries; Reduced graphite oxide; Self-assembled; Lithium-ion batteries; High rate; Reduced graphite oxide; Self-assembled; Li4Ti5O12
• ISSN: 1387-7003; 1879-0259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2022.109753

[Display omitted] •20–100 nm Li4Ti5O12 nanomaterials were prepared on the surface of graphite oxide (GO) using a simple and controllable self-assembly method.•The synergistic effect of rGO and Li4Ti5O12 shows good cycle performance, the capacity retention rate is as high as 97.2% after 1000 cycles even at the higher rate of 10C.•Compared with the performance of previously reported LTO-based electrodes, this work shows remarkable rate performance. Although Li4Ti5O2 (LTO) exhibits excellent cycling stability and high safety, the poor electronic conductivity and slow ion diffusion kinetics largely limit its practical applications. Herein, LTO/reduced graphite oxide (rGO) composite anodes have been fabricated via a simple and controlled self-assembly method. LTO nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 20 to 100 nm are tightly anchored on the rGO to form a unique hierarchical structure. Compared with pure LTO material, the ultrathin rGO film and nanoparticles endow LTO higher electronic conductivity, shorten Li+ diffusion paths and provide more active sites for lithium storage. As a result, the synergistic effect of rGO and unique morphology play a dominant role in high specific discharge capcacity, excellent cycling life and high-capacity retention at high-rate discharging for the LTO/rGO composite electrode. Specifically, large specific discharge capacity of 129 mAh g−1 can be delivered at a high current rate of 20C, as well as good capacity retention at 40C. Furthermore, the composite exhibited excellent cycling performance with superior capacity retention of 97.2% even at high rate of 10C after 1000 cycles.