Synthesis of Heterogeneous Li 4Ti 5O 12 Nanostructured Anodes with Long-Term Cycle Stability

Abstract

The 0D-1D Lithium titanate (Li 4Ti 5O 12) heterogeneous nanostructures were synthesized through the solvothermal reaction using lithium hydroxide monohydrate (Li(OH)·H 2O) and protonated trititanate (H 2Ti 3O 7) nanowires as the templates in an ethanol/water mixed solvent with subsequent heat treatment. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) were used to reveal that the Li 4Ti 5O 12 powders had 0D-1D heterogeneous nanostructures with nanoparticles (0D) on the surface of wires (1D). The composition of the mixed solvents and the volume ratio of ethanol modulated the primary particle size of the Li 4Ti 5O 12 nanoparticles. The Li 4Ti 5O 12 heterogeneous nanostructures exhibited good capacity retention of 125 mAh/g after 500 cycles at 1C and a superior high-rate performance of 114 mAh/g at 20C. © 2010 The Author(s).