Solvothermal synthesis method for dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/TiO₂ composites for high-stability lithium storage

As a promising anode material, lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂) displays extremely stable cycling and high safety performance. Nevertheless, its application is hindered because of a low electron conductivity and low specific capacity. Herein, dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/TiO₂ (LTO/TO) was synthesized by a straightforward solvothermal method utilizing crystallized water of lithium hydroxide to hydrolyse tetrabutyl titanate at high temperature and pressure conditions. This work demonstrated that LTO/TO composites have excellent electrochemical performance and indicated that the inherent defects of LTO can be improved by the decoration of TO. At a current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹ (∼6 C), the discharge capacity of LTO/TO sample reached 197 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, while LTO exhibited 180 mAh g⁻¹. It appears that nanostructure LTO/TO composites may shorten the diffusion distance of electrons and lithium ions. (paper)