Novel Li4Ti5O12/Si/c-PAN Composite Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Among the anode materials for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), LTO [1] and Si [2] are extensively studied for the use in applications which require high power. LTO is commercialized as an alternative to graphite because of its high safety and its ability to be used in high-power devices, due to the “zero strain” of the LTO spinel structure [1]. Si has many advantages when used as an anode material; however, there is a huge volume expansion that should be eliminated. As a possible solution of the stated issues, LTO-matrix might be used as a retaining material in case of the volume expansion of the Si nanoparticles. Until now, a few works on LTO/Si composite anodes were reported. Lin et al. [2] reported the LTO coated with thin film of silicon, and Chen et al. [3] prepared a composite with LTO, Si and conductive carbon. Since both LTO and Si have a low electronic conductivity, the LTO/Si system requires a conductive connecting agent/network to allow for efficient lithium ion diffusion. Cyclized polyacrylonitrile (c-PAN) is a polymer consisting of a conductive network of fused pyridine rings, and it was widely combined with silicon to form efficient composite anodes for LIBs [4]. This work describes the development of the new preparation technology of the anode composite material, which is based on LTO spinel and Si with addition of PAN, which demonstrates a synergistic positive effect on the performance of LIBs. This system is considered as promising alternative for the potential application in electric vehicles, energy storage systems for renewable energy sources and many others. 1) F. Luo, B. Liu, J. Zheng, G. Chu, et al., Nano-silicon/carbon composite anode materials towards practical application for next generation Li-ion batteries, J. Electrochem. Soc. 162(14) (2015) A2509–A2528. 2) Y. Lin, Y. Yang, Y. Lin, G. Zhao, T. Zhou, Z. Huang, Effects of amorphous silicon film on elevated-temperature cycle performance of Li4Ti5O12 for lithium ion battery, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci. 6 (2011) 5588–5596. 3) C. Chen, R. Agrawal, C. Wang, High Performance Li4Ti5O12/Si composite anodes for Li-ion batteries, Nanomaterials 5 (2015), 1469. 4) F.M. Hassan, R. Batmaz, J. Li, et al., Evidence of covalent synergy in silicon–sulfur–graphene yielding highly efficient and long-life lithium-ion batteries, Nature Comm. 6 (2015) 8597.