Ti3+ self-doped Li4Ti5O12 with rich oxygen vacancies for advanced lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

As a promising electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), Li4Ti5O12 still suffers from low conductivity and low ion diffusion kinetics, which largely limit its application in LIBs. In order to boost its electrochemical capability, we achieved a Ti3+ self-doped Li4Ti5O12 with rich oxygen vacancies concentration under the assistance of Ar/H2 plasma. The modified Li4Ti5O12 presented a much higher discharge capacity of 163 mAh g−1 and 106 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 2 A g−1, respectively, as well as superior cycling performance (125 mAh g−1 was maintained at 1 A g−1 after 2500 cycles with a capacity retention of 90%). The Ti3+ self-doping into Li4Ti5O12 together with rich oxygen vacancies introduction with the assistance of Ar/H2 plasma offers a promising strategy for efficiently modifying the electrochemical performance of active materials for LIBs.