Phase-selective hydrothermal synthesis of hydrous lithium titanates nanoparticles as a precursor to Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries

The phase-selective synthesis of (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O5 center dot 2H(2)O flakes and homogenous LiTiO2 spheres has been achieved by means of a hydrothermal method using a titanium triethanolamine complex. Compared with other Ti sources this offers the advantage of being more stable in water, though the crystal phases obtained depend on the growth conditions used, such as the initial Li/Ti ratio and aging time. The Ti2O5 center dot 2H(2)O flakes were obtained through aging at 250 degrees C for 3 h from an initial Li/Ti ratio of 1.0 and exhibited a large surface area of 135 m(2) g(-1). Subsequent heat treatment of these flakes yielded Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles with an even larger surface area (141 m(2) g(-1)) and a discharge capacity of 164 mA h g(-1), making them suited for use as an active material in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.