The synergistic effect supported Li4Ti5O12 anode with advanced lithium storage performance

Abstract

Low specific capacity and poor electrical conductivity are the two intrinsic problems of spinel lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12), which limit the practical use of Li4Ti5O12 anode in lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we demonstrate that the capacity and rate performance of Li4Ti5O12 anodes can be greatly improved by the synergistic effect of facile hierarchical structure design and in-situ decoration of tiny TiO2. The as-prepared ultrafine nanowire assembled and TiO2in-situ decorated clew-like Li4Ti5O12 anode is able to deliver a ultrahigh reversible specific capacity of 195.2 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1 and 125 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1 even after 5000 cycles, exhibiting excellent lithium storage performance and cycling stability. Thus obtained outstanding electrochemical performance largely surpasses that of reportedly state-of-the-art LTO-based anode materials. This work may pave the way to facilely prepare advanced Li4Ti5O12-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.