Combined modification by LiAl11O17 and NaAl11O17 to enhance the electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12

Abstract

The intrinsically moderate Li-ion diffusion coefficient and poor electronic conductivity of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) restricts the practical application in Li-ion batteries. In view of the rapid two-dimensional diffusion channels in ionic conductor of LiNaAl22O34 for Li-ions, the LTO modified by combining equivalent molar ratio of LiAl11O17 with NaAl11O17 (LNAO) was fabricated by a simple reaction between LiNO3, Na2CO3, Al(NO3)3⋅9H2O and LTO at various sintering temperatures. The product with a LNAO/LTO mass ratio of 0.0106 and calcined at 600 °C achieved reversible capacities of 163.8, 160.6, 156.5, 150.9, 132.9 and 163.4 mAh g−1 at the current rates of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 100 mA g−1, respectively. Even cycled 800 times at 500 mA g−1, a capacity of 147.9 mAh g−1 was retained. The outstanding cycling and rate performance is attributable to the simultaneously formed LNAO coating on the LTO particles and superficial Al3+ doping in the LTO, achieving combined improvement in the ionic and electronic conductivities of LTO and thus boosting the comprehensive electrochemical performance of LTO.