High Capacity and Fast Charge-Discharge Li4Ti5O12 Nanoflakes/TiO2 Nanotubes Composite Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Li4Ti5O12 nanoflakes (LTO-NF) and TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) are synthesized and mechanically mixed to form a composite anode material with high specific capacitance, fast charge-discharge capability, and long cycle life for lithium ion batteries. The LTO-NF have a thin morphology and smaller grain size which increases grain boundaries for increased capacitance and faster lithiation and delithiation. TNT are included as part of the composite to help increase specific capacitance as well as facilitate ion and electron transport for fast charge transfer kinetics. To analyze the morphological and chemical characteristics of the composite, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Braun-Emmett-Teller method are conducted. The charge-discharge tests show that the composite LTO-NF/TNT has increased specific capacitance and cycling performance with a 98.3 % capacitance retention and specific capacitance of 160 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 5 C, which translates to higher energy and power density for various energy storage applications including automotive use.