Hierarchically structured lithium titanate for ultrafast charging in long-life high capacity batteries.

ABSTRACT: High-performance Li-ion batteries require materials with well-designed and controlled structures on nanometre and micrometre scales. Electrochemical properties can be enhanced by reducing crystallite size and by manipulating structure and morphology. Here we show a method for preparing hierarchically structured Li4Ti5O12 yielding nano- and microstructure well-suited for use in lithium-ion batteries. Scalable glycothermal synthesis yields well-crystallized primary 4-8?nm nanoparticles, assembled into porous secondary particles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals presence of Ti+4 only; combined with chemical analysis showing lithium deficiency, this suggests oxygen non-stoichiometry. Electron microscopy confirms hierarchical morphology of the obtained material. Extended cycling tests in half cells demonstrates capacity of 170?mAh?g-1 and no sign of capacity fading after 1,000 cycles at 50C rate (charging completed in 72?s). The particular combination of nanostructure, microstructure and non-stoichiometry for the prepared lithium titanate is believed to underlie the observed electrochemical performance of material.

SUBMITTER: Odziomek M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5458554 | biostudies-other | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other