Synthesizing nano-sized (∼20 nm) Li4Ti5O12 at low temperature for a high-rate performance lithium ion battery anode

In this paper, we developed a novel strategy to synthesize nano-sized Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) by hydrothermal method and calcination. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were performed to characterize the structures and morphologies of these samples. Highly crystalline and pure-phase Li4Ti5O12 synthesized at low calcination temperature of 500 °C has been reported for the first time. This nanocrystalline LTO was tested as the anode material for lithium ion batteries, and exhibited excellent reversible capacities of 166, 162, 155, 142 and 123 mAh g−1 at current densities of 1 C, 2 C, 5 C, 10 C and 20 C, respectively. It also demonstrated good capacity retention and high coulombic efficiency values at all current rates. This excellent electrochemical performance makes our LTO a promising anode material for high energy/power density lithium ion batteries.