Synthesis of Ce modified Li4Ti5O12 using biomass as carbon source

Abstract Biomass (fallen leaves) was used directly as carbon source to synthesize Ce doped and C coated Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) in alkaline ballmilling medium. The unique porosity structure of fallen leaves and their trace amount of S elements can improve the Li ions migration ability and stability by coating a loose layer consisted of carbon quantum dots and inducing the interaction between S2− and PF6−. The alkaline medium can transform different species into unified hydrate form leading to the pre-arranged six-coordinate and four-coordinate lithium precursor and perfect crystal structure LTO. The capacity of obtained LTO reaches 169.4 mAh/g, 156.1 mAh/g, 141.5 mAh/g at 0.5 C, 5 C and 10 C, respectively and the capacity can maintain almost 100% even after 300 cycles at 10 C.