Preparation and electrochemical properties of carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 anode materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Li4Ti5O12/C composites were synthesized by three different solid-state methods using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a carbon source. The physical and electrochemical characteristics of pure Li4Ti5O12 and Li4Ti5O12/C composites were extensively investigated. Comparing with Li4Ti5O12 sample, the Li4Ti5O12/C composites show better electrochemical properties, especially for the discharge capacity and rate performance. Owing to the existence of conductive carbon layer, the reversible discharge capacities of Li4Ti5O12/C composites may go up to 175.5 mAhg-1, and the capacity retention for the best system could reaches to 97.4% after 50 cycles. In addition, one of these composites shows excellent high rate discharge performance, the discharge capacity remains at 162.2 mAhg-1 at 3 C rate.