Significant effect of electron transfer between current collector and active material on high rate performance of Li4Ti5O12

The rate and cycling performances of the electrode materials are affected by many factors in a practical complicated electrode process. Learning about the limiting step in a practical electrochemical reaction is very important to effectively improve the electrochemical performances of the electrode materials. Li4Ti5O12, as a zero-strain material, has been considered as a promising anode material for long life Li-ion batteries. In this study, our results show that the Li4Ti5O12 pasted on Cu or graphite felt current collector exhibits unexpectedly higher rate performance than on Al current collector. For Li4Ti5O12, the electron transfer between current collector and active material is the critical factor that affects its rate and cycling performances.