Spinel Li4Ti5O12 nanowires for high-rate Li-ion intercalation electrode

Abstract

A large quantity of spinel Li4Ti5O12 nanowires was prepared by firing a mixture of TiO2 center dot 1.25H(2)O nanowires and Li acetates at 800 degrees C for 3 h. The spinel nanowire had a diameter of 150 nm, which was similar to that of TiO2 center dot H2O nanowire. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the spinel wire was 38 m(2)/g, which was seven times higher than that of fine particles, which had a BET surface area of only 4.6 m(2)/g. The first discharge capacity was 165 mAh/g at a 0.1 C rate and 93% capacity was retained even after a 10 C rate. We believe that these results were associated with a more active surface in the nanowires which facilitated faster lithium diffusion due to shorter pathways. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.