Modification of Li4Ti5O12 Anodes Using Epoxy‐Functionalized Silane to Improve Electrochemical Performance in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

The spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) material, especially because of the small particle sizes of LTO, has a high tendency toward adhesion and aggregation of particles due to the large cohesive forces, thereby deteriorating its electrochemical performance. To overcome this drawback, LTO is modified with epoxy‐functionalized silane KH560 by a simple hydrolysis method. This process successfully achieves the KH560 modifying layer. Specifically, the effects of KH560 on the dispersion and electrochemical performance of LTO are investigated. The results show that KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) can be stabilized and evenly dispersed, thus narrowing the particle size distribution, distributing the particles homogeneously in the electrode sheet, and reducing the viscosity change of the slurry. From the electrochemical measurements, KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) exhibits higher initial discharge capacity (168.3 mAh g−1 at 2 C) and better rate capability (133.2 mAh g−1 at 10 C). In addition to this, the specific capacity of the KH560–LTO (0.5 wt%) sample remains at 149.2 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 5 C. This excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the fact that the KH560 modifying layer can effectively promote the dispersion of particles.