Sol–gel preparation and electrochemical properties of La-doped Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium-ion battery

A sol–gel method using Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, LiCH₃COO·2H₂O, and La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O as starting materials and ethyl acetoacetate as chelating agent to prepare pure and lanthanum (La)-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ is reported. The structure and morphology of the active materials characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis indicate that doping with a certain amount of La³⁺ does not affect the structure of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, but can restrain the agglomeration of the particles during heat treatment. The electrochemical properties measured by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling tests show that La-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ presents a much improved electrochemical performance due to a decrease in charge transfer resistance. At current densities of 1 and 5 C, the La-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ exhibits excellent reversible capacities of 156.16 and 150.79 mAh?g^?1, respectively. The excellent rate capability and good cycling performance make La-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries in energy storage systems.     

Nitridated mesoporous Li4Ti5O12 spheres for high-rate lithium-ion batteries anode material

Nitridated mesoporous Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ spheres were synthesized by a simple ammonia treatment of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ derived from mesoporous TiO₂ particles and lithium acetate dihydrate via a solid state reaction in the presence of polyethylene glycol 20000. The carbonization of polyethylene glycol could effectively restrict the growth of primary particles, which was favorable for lithium ions diffusing into the nanosized TiO₂ lattice during the solid state reaction to form a pure phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. After a subsequent thermal nitridation treatment, a high conductive thin TiO _x N _y layer was in situ constructed on the surface of the primary nanoparticles. As a result, the nitridated mesoporous Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ structure, possessing shorter lithium-ion diffusion path and better electrical conductivity, displays significantly improved rate capability. The discharge capacity reaches 138 mAh?g^?1 at 10 C rate and 120 mAh?g^?1 at 20 C rate in the voltage range of 1–3 V.     

三维连续结构Li4Ti5O12/石墨烯纳米复合材料：制备和其锂离子电池超长循环性能

利用具有三维连续纳米孔结构的热剥离石墨烯为骨架制备Li4Ti5O12/石墨烯纳米复合材料。通过乙醇挥发法在热剥离石墨烯的纳米孔道内引入前驱物,进一步高温热处理,在热剥离石墨烯的孔道内原位形成Li4Ti5O12纳米粒子。利用复合材料作为锂离子电池电极材料。电化学反应过程中,热剥离石墨烯的三维连续结构确保了Li4Ti5O12纳米粒子与石墨烯在长循环过程中的有效接触。因此,复合材料表现出优异的循环稳定性。在5C下,5 000次循环后,其容量保持率高达94%。     

Li4Ti5O12/CMK-3复合材料的制备及其作为锂离子电池负极材料的性能

将LiNO₃和Ti(OC₄H₉)₄填填充在有序介孔碳CMK-3 孔道中, 然后烧结合成了Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/CMK-3复合材料. 利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)对其结构和微观形貌进行了表征. 利用差热-热重分析(TG-DTA)测试复合材料中Li₄Ti₅O₁₂的含量. 利用充放电测试、循环伏安和电化学阻抗技术考察了复合材料作为锂离子电池负极材料的性能. 发现Li₄Ti₅O₁₂分布在CMK-3孔道中及其周围, 复合材料的高倍率充放电性能显著优于商品Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, 复合材料中Li₄Ti₅O₁₂的比容量明显高于除去CMK-3的样品(在1C倍率时比容量为117.8 mAh·g^-1), 其0.5C、1C和5C倍率的放电比容量分别为160、143 和131 mAh·g^-1, 库仑效率接近100%, 5C倍率时循环100次的容量损失率只有0.62%. 本研究结果表明CMK-3明显提高了Li₄Ti₅O₁₂的高倍率充放电性能, 可能是CMK-3特殊的孔道结构和良好的导电性减小了Li₄Ti₅O₁₂的粒径并提高了其电导率.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel Li4Ti5O12−x Cl x anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were synthesized successfully via high temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize their structure and morphology. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge cycling performance tests were used to characterize their electrochemical properties. The results showed that the Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were well-crystallized pure spinel phase and that the grain sizes of the samples were about 3–8 μm. The Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the best discharge capacity among all the samples and showed better reversibility and higher cyclic stability compared with pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. When the discharge rate was 0.5 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the superior discharge capacity of 148.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was 129.8 mAh g⁻¹; when the discharge rate was 2 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was only 89.8 mAh g⁻¹.     

高倍率尖晶石型Li_4Ti_5O_(l2)/TiN锂离子电池负极材料的合成及其电化学性能

以乙酰丙酮(ACAC)为螯合剂、聚乙二醇(PEG)为分散剂,采用溶胶-凝胶法合成了尖晶石型Li4Ti5Ol2/TiN材料.考察了TiN膜对尖晶石型Li4Ti5Ol2锂离子电池负极材料电化学性能的影响.利用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对Li4Ti5O12表面的TiN膜进行了分析.X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析表明,Li4Ti5Ol2/TiN材料为结晶良好的亚微米纯相尖晶石型钛酸锂.电化学性能测试表明,该材料的首次放电比容量为173.0mAh·g-1,并且具有良好的循环性能,以0.2C、1C、2C、5C倍率放电进行测试,10次循环后比容量分别为170.6、147.6、135.6、111.0mAh·g-1,较之表面无TiN膜的钛酸锂材料表现出更好的倍率特性.循环伏安曲线(CV),交流阻抗图谱(EIS)进一步论证了TiN膜改善了尖晶石型Li4Ti5Ol2锂离子电池负极材料的电化学性能.     

Li4Ti5O12/(Cu+C)复合材料的制备及电化学性能

以Li₄Ti₅O₁₂,Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O和C₆H₁₂O₆为前驱体,化学沉积与热分解结合合成锂离子电池负极材料Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/(Cu+C)。采用X-射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、恒流充放电、循环伏安和电化学阻抗方法表征样品的结构、形貌和电化学性能。结果表明,Li₄Ti₅O₁₂表面包覆的Cu与C提高了Li₄Ti₅O₁₂电极材料的导电率,其循环性能和倍率性能得到有效地改善。在0.5C、1C和3C倍率下,经过50次充放电循环,放电比容量分别为168.2、160、140.6 mAh·g^-1,其容量保持率分别为88.7%、84.4%、71.2%。电化学阻抗测试表明,表面包覆的Cu与C使其电荷转移阻抗大幅度减少。     

High-performance thin-film Li4Ti5O12 electrodes fabricated by using ink-jet printing technique and their electrochemical properties

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin-film anode with high discharge capacity and excellent cycle stability for rechargeable lithium ion batteries was prepared successfully by using ink-jet printing technique. The prepared Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. It was found that the average thickness of 10-layer Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ film was about 1.7~1.8 μm and the active material Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ in the thin film was nano-sized about 50–300 nm. It was also found that the prepared Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ thin film exhibited a high discharge capacity of about 174 mAh/g and the discharge capacity in the 300th cycle retained 88% of the largest discharge capacity at a current density of 10.4 μA/cm² in the potential range of 1.0–2.0 V.     

Cobalt oxide–graphene nanocomposite as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Composites of Co₃O₄/graphene nanosheets are prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Their electrochemical behavior as anode materials of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries is investigated by galvanostatic discharge/charge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The composite is composed of Co₃O₄ nanorods (around 20??0?nm in diameter) and nanoparticles (around 10?nm in diameter) distributed within the graphene matrix. The specific capacity of the composite is higher than both Co₃O₄ and graphene nanosheets. The cycling stability of Co₃O₄ is obviously enhanced by compositing with graphene. After 100 cycles, the discharge and charge capacity of the composite is 1,005 and 975?mAh g^??, respectively, and the irreversible capacity loss is less than 3%.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performances of Li4Ti4.95Zr0.05O12/C as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Spinel Li₄Ti_5 − x Zr _x O₁₂/C (x = 0, 0.05) were prepared by a solution method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performances including charge–discharge (0–2.5 V and 1–2.5 V), cyclic voltammetry, and ac impedance were also investigated. The results revealed that the Li₄Ti_4.95Zr_0.05O₁₂/C had a relatively smaller particle size and more regular morphology than that of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C. Zr⁴⁺ doping enhanced the ability of lithium-ion diffusion in the electrode. It delivered a discharge capacity 289.03 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles for the Zr⁴⁺-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C while it decreased to 264.03 mAh g⁻¹ for the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C at the 0.2C discharge to 0 V. Zr⁴⁺ doping did not change the electrochemical process, instead enhanced the electronic conductivity and ionic conductivity. The reversible capacity and cycling performance were effectively improved especially when it was discharged to 0 V.     

Li4Ti5O12 Nanoparticles Prepared with Gel-hydrothermal Process as a High Performance Anode Material for Li-ion Batteries

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) nanoparticles were prepared by gel‐hydrothermal process and subsequent calcination treatment. Calcination treatment led to structural water removal, decomposition of organics and primary formation of LTO. The formation temperature of spinel LTO nanoparticles was lower than that of bulk materials counterpart prepared by solid‐state reaction or by sol‐gel processing. Based on the thermal gravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), samples calcined at different temperatures (350, 500 and 700°C) were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emitting scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cyclic voltammogram and charge‐discharge cycling tests. A phase transition during the calcination process was observed from the XRD patterns. And the sample calcined at 500°C had a distribution of diameters around 20 nm and exhibited large capacity and good high rate capability. The well reversible cyclic voltammetric results of both electrodes indicated enhanced electrochemical kinetics for lithium insertion. It was found that the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode material prepared through gel‐hydrothermal process, when being cycled at 8 C, could preserve 76.6% of the capacity at 0.3 C. Meanwhile, the discharge capacity can reach up to 160.3 mAh·g^?1 even after 100 cycles at 1 C, close to the theoretical capacity of 175 mAh·g^?1. The gel‐hydrothermal method seemed to be a promising method to synthesize LTO nanoparticles with good application in lithium ion batteries and electrochemical cells.     

Pseudocapacitive Lithium Storage of Cauliflower-Like CoFe2O4 for Low-Temperature Battery Operation

Binary transition-metal oxides (BTMOs) with hierarchical micro–nano-structures have attracted great interest as potential anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we report the fabrication of hierarchical cauliflower-like CoFe₂O₄ (cl-CoFe₂O₄) via a facile room-temperature co-precipitation method followed by post-synthetic annealing. The obtained cauliflower structure is constructed by the assembly of microrods, which themselves are composed of small nanoparticles. Such hierarchical micro–nano-structure can promote fast ion transport and stable electrode–electrolyte interfaces. As a result, the cl-CoFe₂O₄ can deliver a high specific capacity (1019.9 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹), excellent rate capability (626.0 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹), and good cyclability (675.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 4 A g⁻¹ for over 400 cycles) as an anode material for LIBs. Even at low temperatures of 0 °C and −25 °C, the cl-CoFe₂O₄ anode can deliver high capacities of 907.5 and 664.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹, respectively, indicating its wide operating temperature. More importantly, the full-cell assembled with a commercial LiFePO₄ cathode exhibits a high rate performance (214.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 5000 mA g⁻¹) and an impressive cycling performance (612.7 mAh g⁻¹ over 140 cycles at 300 mA g⁻¹) in the voltage range of 0.5–3.6 V. Kinetic analysis reveals that the electrochemical performance of cl-CoFe₂O₄ is dominated by pseudocapacitive behavior, leading to fast Li⁺ insertion/extraction and good cycling life.     

Molecular Design Strategy for Ordered Mesoporous Stoichiometric Metal Oxide

A molecular design strategy is used to construct ordered mesoporous Ti³⁺‐doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanocrystal frameworks (OM‐Ti³⁺‐Li₄Ti₅O₁₂) by the stoichiometric cationic coordination assembly process. Ti⁴⁺/Li⁺‐citrate chelate is designed as a new molecular precursor, in which the citrate can not only stoichiometrically coordinate Ti⁴⁺ with Li⁺ homogeneously at the atomic scale, but also interact strongly with the PEO segments in the Pluronic F127. These features make the co‐assembly and crystallization process more controllable, thus benefiting for the formation of the ordered mesostructures. The resultant OM‐Ti³⁺‐Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ shows excellent rate (143 mAh g^?1 at 30 C) and cycling performances (<0.005 % fading per cycle). This work could open a facile avenue to constructing stoichiometric ordered mesoporous oxides or minerals with highly crystalline frameworks.     

Electrospun Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite nanofibers for enhanced high-rate lithium ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers with the mean diameter of ca. 60 nm have been synthesized via facile electrospinning. When the molar ratio of Li to Ti is 4.8:5, the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers exhibit initial discharge capacity of 216.07 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C, rate capability of 151 mAh g^?1 after being cycled at 20 C, and cycling stability of 122.93 mAh g^?1 after 1000 cycles at 20 C. Compared with pure Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanofibers and Li₂TiO₃ nanofibers, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers show better performance when used as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The enhanced electrochemical performances are explained by the incorporation of appropriate Li₂TiO₃ which could strengthen the structure stability of the hosted materials and has fast Li⁺-conductor characteristics, and the nanostructure of nanofibers which could offer high specific area between the active materials and electrolyte and shorten diffusion paths for ionic transport and electronic conduction. Our new findings provide an effective synthetic way to produce high-performance Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries.     

A Porous Mooncake-Shaped Li4Ti5O12 Anode Material Modified by SmF3 and Its Electrochemical Performance in Lithium Ion Batteries

Reasonably designing and synthesizing advanced electrode materials is significant to enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF, Mil-125) was used as a precursor and template to successfully synthesize the porous mooncake-shaped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) anode material assembled from nanoparticles. Even more critical, SmF₃ was used to modify the prepared porous mooncake-shaped LTO material. The SmF₃-modified LTO maintained a porous mooncake-shaped structure with a large specific surface area, and the SmF₃ nanoparticles were observed to be attach on the surface of the LTO material. It has been proven that the SmF₃ modification can further facilitate the transition from Ti⁴⁺ to Ti³⁺, reduce the polarization of electrode, decrease charge transfer impedance (R_ct) and solid electrolyte interface impedance (R_sei), and increase the lithium ion diffusion coefficient (D_Li), thereby enhancing the electrochemical performance of LTO. Therefore, the porous mooncake-shaped LTO modified using 2 wt % SmF₃ displays a large specific discharge capacity of 143.8 mAh g⁻¹ with an increment of 79.16 % compared to pure LTO at a high rate of 10 C (1 C=170 mAh g⁻¹), and shows a high retention rate of 96.4 % after 500 cycles at 5 C-rate.     

Low‐temperature Synthesis of Peony‐like Spinel Li4Ti5O12 as a High‐performance Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Peony‐like spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was synthesized via calcination of precursor at the temperature of 400°C, and the precursor was prepared through a hydrothermal process in which the reaction of hydrous titanium oxide with lithium hydroxide was conducted at 180°C. The as‐prepared product was investigated by SEM, TEM and XRD, respectively. As anode material for lithium ion battery, the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ obtained was also characterized by galvanostatic tests and cyclic voltammetry measurements. It is found that the peony‐like Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ exhibited high rate capability of 119.7 mAh·g⁻¹ at 10 C and good capacity retention of 113.8 mAh·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 5 C, and these results indicate the peony‐like Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ has promising applications for lithium ion batteries with high performance.     

Water-in-oil microemulsion method preparation and capacitance performance study of Li4Mn5O12

Spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ nanoparticles are successfully prepared by water-in-oil microemulsion method and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ nanoparticles have sphere-like morphology with particle size less than 50 nm. The Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ and activated carbon (AC) were used as electrodes of Li₄Mn₅O₁₂/AC supercapacitor, respectively. The electrochemical capacitance performance of the supercapacitor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the single electrode was able to deliver specific capacitance 252 F g^?1 within potential range 0–1.4 V at a scan rate of 5 mV s^?1 in 1 mol L^?1 Li₂SO₄ solution, and it also showed high coulombic efficiency close to 100%. This material exhibited a good cycling performance.     

Electochemical characteristics of LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> battery with conducting polymeric binder

Lithium-ion battery based on LiMn₂O₄/Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ materials was assembled for the first time. The cathode and anode of this battery are prepared with the aqueous combined binder poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate/carboxymethylcellulose (without polyvinylidene fluoride). The capacity of the LiMn₂O₄/Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ battery was found to be 75 mA h g^–1 at 0.1 C and 55 mA h g^–1 at 1 C. A 95% capacity was retained after 100 charge-discharge cycles. The batteries demonstrated a high Coulombic efficiency close to 100%. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that using the conducting binder poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate/carboxymethylcellulose provides formation of dense compact layers of electrode materials with good adhesion to the substrate. The electrode structure remains maintained after 100 charge-discharge cycles.     

Sol-gel Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Li4-xMgxTi5-xZrxO12 Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

The anode materials Li_4?xMg_xTi_5?xZr_xO₁₂ (x=0, 0.05, 0.1) were successfully synthesized by sol‐gel method using Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, CH₃COOLi·2H₂O, MgCl₂·6H₂O and Zr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O as raw materials. The crystalline structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of the as‐prepared materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, cyclic voltammograms (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and charge‐discharge cycling tests. The results show that the lattice parameters of the Mg‐Zr doped samples are slightly larger than that of the pure Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, and Mg‐Zr doping does not change the basic Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ structure. The rate capability of Li_4?xMg_xTi_5?xZr_xO₁₂ (x=0.05, 0.1) electrodes is significantly improved due to the expansile Li⁺ diffusion channel and reduced charge transfer resistance. In this study, Li_3.95Mg_0.05Ti_4.95Zr_0.05O₁₂ represented a relatively good rate capability and cycling stability, after 400 cycles at 10 C, the discharge capacity retained as 134.74 mAh·g^?1 with capacity retention close to 100%. The excellent rate capability and good cycling performance make Li_3.95Mg_0.05Ti_4.95Zr_0.05O₁₂ a promising anode material in lithium‐ion batteries.     

Nb-doped rutile titanium dioxide nanorods for lithium-ion batteries

Rutile titanium dioxide is a promising negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries due to low volume change on lithium-ion insertion, fast ion diffusion, and large surface area. However, the low theoretical capacity and conductivity of titanium dioxide has limited its application. In this work, rutile TiO₂ was synthesized using a batch hydrothermal method, and doped with Nb⁵⁺ (3.5 at%). <Potentiodynamic/galvanostatic > cycling in the range 1.0–3.0 V vs Li/Li⁺ was used to determine the Li-ion capacity of the doped and pristine TiO₂ material, and electrochemical cycling was used to measure the extent of conversion from the lithiated to de-lithiated state. The nanoscale structures of the pristine and doped materials were determined by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements. Cycling in the range 1.0–3.0 V vs Li/Li⁺ showed that Nb⁵⁺ doping into the structure resulted in higher charge capacities. After 100 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹, the Nb-doped rutile TiO₂ maintained a capacity of ca. 390 mAh g⁻¹, 64% higher than undoped TiO₂. For electrochemical cycling in the range 0.05–3.0 V vs Li/Li⁺, the introduction of Nb⁵⁺ resulted in a higher conversion of rutile TiO₂ from the lithiated to de-lithiated state. The higher capacity of the doped TiO₂ is shown to be mainly due to the smaller particle size, optimized surface area, and orientation of the nanorods.