Synthesis and properties of nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12/C nano-composite: An anode for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Composite of nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12and carbon (designated as Ni-Li4Ti5O12/C) is synthesized by solid-state reaction with sucrose added as the conductive carbon source. For comparison, nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12(designated as Ni-Li4Ti5O12) is obtained under similar conditions. Both materials are characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, charge-discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of SEM images shows that Ni-Li4Ti5O12/C consists of smaller particles than Ni-Li4Ti5O12. Charge/discharge cycling as well as cyclic voltammetry studies prove that Ni-Li4Ti5O12/C electrodes perform much better than those made from Ni-Li4Ti5O12. The specific capacities of the Ni-Li4Ti5O12/C composite are close to the theoretical capacity of Li4Ti5O12even at high current rates-the discharge capacity of Ni-Li4Ti5O12/C at 2C is equal to 164 mA h g-1.