Nanocomposite based on li4ti5o12 structures for high-rate li-ion battery applications

Abstract

Lithium titanate is synthesized from titanium isopropoxide and lithiumnitrate solution via sol-gel processes. The obtained nanocrystalline lithium titanateswere then subjected to electroless deposition in order to obtain Cu/Li4Ti5O12nanocomposite structures. The crystalline structure and morphological observationof the as-synthesized Li4Ti5O12 are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) andscanning electron microscopy, respectively. It is demonstrated that the electrochemicalperformance is significantly improved by the copper deposition ontolithium titanate structure. The copper-coated lithium titanate exhibits a stablecapacity of 170 mAh g1 at 1 C. Besides, the reversible capacity at 80 C remainsover half of that at 1 C. The superior C-rate performance is associated with thecopper/lithium titanate nanocomposite structure, facilitating lithium transportationability during cycling.