Toward ultrafast lithium ion capacitors: A novel atomic layer deposition seeded preparation of Li4Ti5O12/graphene anode

Abstract

High performance composite of nanosized Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) and graphene nanosheets was fabricated using a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) seeded process incorporated with hydrothermal lithiation for the first time. TiO2 nanoislands as seeds were anchored on graphene by ALD process, triggering the unique structure formation of subsequent LTO. The synergistic effects of nanosized LTO and graphene endow the composite with a short lithium ion diffusion path and efficiently conductive network for electron and ion transport, boosting the excellent reversible capacity, rate capability, and cyclic stability as anode materials for lithium ion capacitors (LICs). The reversible capacity of 120.8mAhg−1 at an extremely high current rate of 100C was achieved successfully, and the electrode can be charged/discharged to about 70% of the theoretical capacity of LTO in 25s. Meanwhile, the composite exhibited excellent cyclic stability of 90% capacity retention at 20C with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency after 2500 cycles. The sintering treatment after hydrothermal reaction has significant effects on the crystallinity, defect density, microstructure and electrochemical property of the composite, which is also supported by theoretical calculations. The results provide a versatile roadmap for synthesis of high performance LTO based composite and new insights into LICs.