Synthesis and performance of Li2NiTi3O8 as a new anode material for lithium-ion batteries

The titanate spinel Li₂NiTi₃O₈ is proposed for the first time as a new anode for lithium-ion batteries and successfully synthesized via a facile ball-milling assisted solid-state reaction method. The sample is characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results reveal that the Li₂NiTi₃O₈ nanoparticles have well-distributed morphology, and the particle size ranges between 100 and 300 nm. Although the initial coulombic efficiency is only 56.3 %, the Li₂NiTi₃O₈ electrode still exhibits a high rate capability and excellent cycling stability. The Li₂NiTi₃O₈ anode provides a large capacity of 212.3 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1 after 10 cycle, which is close to its theoretical capacity (223.6 mAh g^?1). Even after 100 cycles, it still delivers a quite high capacity of 203.98 mAh g^?1, with no significant capacity fading. This indicates that the as-synthesized Li₂NiTi₃O₈ material is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries.