Controlled Ag-driven superior rate-capability of Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries

• Published in: Nano research Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 365 - 372
• Main Authors: Kim, Jae-Geun, Shi, Dongqi, Park, Min-Sik, Jeong, Goojin, Heo, Yoon-Uk, Seo, Minsu, Kim, Young-Jun, Kim, Jung Ho, Dou, Shi Xue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Anodes; Electric batteries; Lithium batteries; Morphology; Nanofibers; Nanostructure; Silver
• ISSN: 1998-0124; 1998-0000
• DOI: 10.1007/s12274-013-0313-y

The morphology and electronic structure of a Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) anode are known to determine its electrical and electrochemical properties in lithium rechargeable batteries. Ag-Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub( 12) nanofibers have been rationally designed and synthesized by an electrospinning technique to meet the requirements of one-dimensional (1D) morphology and superior electrical conductivity. Herein, we have found that the 1D Ag-Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub( 12) nanofibers show enhanced specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability compared to bare Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanofibers, due to the Ag nanoparticles (<5 nm), which are mainly distributed at interfaces between Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) primary particles. This structural morphology gives rise to 20% higher rate capability than bare Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanofibers by facilitating the charge transfer kinetics. Our findings provide an effective way to improve the electrochemical performance of Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]