Nanosized Li4Ti5O12 Prepared by Molten Salt Method as an Electrode Material for Hybrid Electrochemical Supercapacitors

Nanosized lithium titanium oxide (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ) powder has been prepared using LiCl as a high-temperature flux. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope measurements indicate that the obtained Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 particles are uniform and the particle size of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 powder can be controlled by flux content and heating time. Under the optimal synthetic condition, the particle-size distribution is narrow (∼100 nm). The hybrid electrochemical supercapacitors using a nanosized Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 negative electrode in combination with an activated carbon positive electrode show much better rate capability than those based on the conventional Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 prepared by solid-state reaction.