One-step solid-state synthesis of Li4Ti5O12/C with low in situ carbon content and high rate cycling performance

Abstract

Spinel Li4Ti5O12/C composites were obtained from C3H5O3Li and TiO2 via one-step solid-state reaction without adding extra carbon sources. This facile synthesis method can reduce production steps, contribute to uniform mixing of raw materials, and get homogenous particles. As-prepared Li4Ti5O12/C composites with low in situ carbon content of only 1.81 wt% show significant improvement in discharge capacity and high rate cycling performance comparable to Li4Ti5O12/C in previous studies, showing that low in situ carbon content in the as-prepared Li4Ti5O12/C composites perfectly balances discharge capacity and high rate cycling performance. At 1 C and 10 C, the initial discharge capacity is 168.0 and 140.0 mAh g−1 with capacity retention of 94.4 and 90.2 % after 200 cycles, respectively. Even at 20 C, the discharge capacity is 133.3 mAh g−1 at 1st cycle and 109.8 mAh g−1 at 50th cycle. It demonstrated promising potential as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries with excellent discharge capacity and high rate cycling performance.