Mesoporous Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters as high performance negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 248; pp. 265 - 272
• Main Authors: Sun, Li, Wang, Jiaping, Jiang, Kaili, Fan, Shoushan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.02.2014
• 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; Exact sciences and technology; Materials; Ternary compound; Lithium ion batteries; High performance; Nanocluster; Anode; Lithium Oxides; Secondary cell; Nanostructure; Electrode material; Porous material; Mesoporosity; Titanium Oxides; Lithium ion battery; Lithium Titanates; Lithium titanate; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.09.041

Porous Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters with high surface area are synthesized by a facile solution-based method followed by low-temperature calcination. The Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters present the key characteristics needed to serve as high-performance negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries, including nano-sized dimension of the Li4Ti5O12 clusters (50-100 nm) for short ion and electron transfer path, and high surface area (142 m2 g-1) with mesoporosity (pore diameter 2-6 nm) for easy access to the electrolyte and efficient ion transport. Based on these characteristics, the Li4Ti5O12 electrode delivers an initial capacity of 173 mAh g-1 at the rate of 0.5 C, comparable to its theoretical capacity. Excellent cycling stability at high rates is achieved in the Li4Ti5O12 electrode, offering potential to serve as a negative electrode material for high rate lithium ion battery applications.