Electrospun Li4Ti5O12/Li2TiO3 composite nanofibers for enhanced high-rate lithium ion batteries

Li4Ti5O12/Li2TiO3 composite nanofibers with the mean diameter of ca. 60 nm have been synthesized via facile electrospinning. When the molar ratio of Li to Ti is 4.8:5, the Li4Ti5O12/Li2TiO3 composite nanofibers exhibit initial discharge capacity of 216.07 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, rate capability of 151 mAh g−1 after being cycled at 20 C, and cycling stability of 122.93 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 20 C. Compared with pure Li4Ti5O12 nanofibers and Li2TiO3 nanofibers, Li4Ti5O12/Li2TiO3 composite nanofibers show better performance when used as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The enhanced electrochemical performances are explained by the incorporation of appropriate Li2TiO3 which could strengthen the structure stability of the hosted materials and has fast Li+-conductor characteristics, and the nanostructure of nanofibers which could offer high specific area between the active materials and electrolyte and shorten diffusion paths for ionic transport and electronic conduction. Our new findings provide an effective synthetic way to produce high-performance Li4Ti5O12 anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries.