Preparation of Nanosized Li4Ti5O12 as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries via Ion-Exchange Method

Li4Ti5O12 was prepared by calcination of the hydrated lithium titanate, which was synthesized from ion-exchange reaction of titanate nanotubes in aqueous LiOH. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TG-DSC) and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. The result shows that pure-phase nanosized Li4Ti5O12 can be obtained by heating the precursor between 500 similar to 700 degrees C. The reversible capacity of the obtained Li4Ti5O12 is about 160 mAh.g(-1),and its cycling stability is improved with increased calcination temperature. It is also demonstrated that the Li4Ti5O12 have excellent high rate discharge capability due to the short diffusion distances. A capacity of 140 mAh.g(-1) is obtained at a high discharge current density of 1 600 mA.g(-1) (about 10C).