Synthesis and Characterization of Long Life Li4Ti5O12/C Composite Using Amorphous TiO2 Nanoparticles

Amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized by microemulsion method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as dispersant for the first time, and then they are used to synthesize the Li4Ti5O12/C composite by a simple solid-state method. The amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles have high reaction activity with Li2CO3 to promote the synthesis of Li4Ti5O12/C composite at lower temperature and shorter time. The grain size of prepared Li4Ti5O12/C composite with different carbon additions is less than 400 nm. The Li4Ti5O12/C composite shows high specific capacity and very long cycling life. The specific capacities of the Li4Ti5O12/C composite with 5% carbon addition at 0.1, 1 and 5 C rates are 162.4, 147.4 and 114.9 mAhg(-1), respectively, and its capacity retention after 600 cycles at 1 and 5 C rates is respective 99.86% and 92.95%. The synthesis method can be used for a mass production of Li4Ti5O12/C composite in industry.