CFx addition improves performance of batteries with Li4Ti5O12 electrodes

Abstract

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) has been considered as an anode for next generation lithium ion batteries. It has the advantages of negligible structural variation and high lithium intercalation plateaus. In addition, its negligible structural variation during lithium ion intercalation/deintercalation also provides a longer lifespan when applied as an anode. However, an inherently insulating property has currently limited its use in high-rate applications. Different from existing attempts, we demonstrate a facile method to improve the rate performance of Li4Ti5O12 electrodes by introducing CFx during the electrode preparation process. A series of Li4Ti5O12 electrodes was fabricated with varied the additional ratio of CFx that exhibited excellent rate performance even at a rate of 20 C. The best additive ratio was found to be 2.5% CFx by mass, which produced electrodes with a reversible capacity of 164 and 102 mAh g−1 at the rates of 1 and 20 C, respectively.