One-step synthesis of Li4Ti5O12/C anode material with high performance for lithiumion batteries

Li4Ti5O12/C anode material was simply obtained via a modified one-step solid-state reaction route using the original materials of lithium polyacrylate (PAALi) as lithium and carbon sources, and TiO2 as titanium source. The physical characteristics of the Li4Ti5O12/C composite were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The particle size of Li4Ti5O12 in the composite was about 200 nm. The electrochemical properties were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectra and constant current charge/discharge cycling. It was demonstrated that the as-prepared Li4Ti5O12/C composite presented excellent high-rate characteristics and cycleabilities. The initial specific capacity of the composite was 130.0 mA h g(-1) at 8.60 mA cm(-2), and excellent cycle performance was still maintained with the current density increase. Moreover, it was proved that the electric conductivity and cycle performance of Li4Ti5O12 were effectively enhanced due to the uniformly dispersed pyrolytic carbon in the Li4Ti5O12 particles. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.