Electrochemical performance of granulated titania nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 134; no. 2; pp. 197 - 201
• Main Authors: Wilhelm, O, Pratsinis, S.E, de Chambrier, E, Crouzet, M, Exnar, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 12.08.2004; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemical lithium insertion; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Granulation; Nanocrystalline titania; Sol–gel; Structured electrode; Structured electrode; Nanocrystalline titania; Electrochemical lithium insertion; Granulation; Sol–gel; Anatase; Phase composition; Sol-gel; Spray drying; Secondary cell; Sol gel process; Titanium; Surface area; Performance; Specific capacity; Lithium ion; Nanocrystal
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.03.001

The electrochemical performance of Li-ion insertion into electrodes made of various sizes of anatase titania nanoparticles embedded in larger granulated entities (1–10 μm) is investigated. The granules are formed by spray drying of a suspension containing titania nanoparticles made by hydrolyzing titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). Depending on the three process steps, i.e. hydrolysis–condensation, hydrothermal processing and spray drying, different properties for the electrode made from these granules can be achieved in terms of phase composition, specific surface area (SSA) and specific charge capacity. Hydrothermally processed (HP) particles are more resistant to calcination than sol–gel precipitated (SGP) ones and have a higher SSA which leads to a better performance with respect to specific charge capacity. Electrodes made from granulated nanoparticles have superior specific charge capacity than from non-granulated ones as the former have more inter-particle contacts.