Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C nano-powders by pulse jet spray pyrolysis

Abstract

Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C nano-powders were successfully synthesized at 500°C through the pulse jet spray pyrolysis with use of a citric acid aqueous solution. As-prepared Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C nano-particles had spherical and irregular shapes with an average size of 50 nm. Asprepared Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C nano-particles had a spinel phase with high crystallinity and a homogeneous chemical composition. The carbon content was 10 wt % in the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nano-powders. A 2032 type coin cell was used to examine electrochemical properties of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C anode. The discharge capacity of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C anode exhibited 170 at 1 C and 120 mAh·g ¹1 at 20 C, respectively. The discharge capacity of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C anode maintained 96% of the initial discharge capacity after 500th cycle at 10 C and room temperature. The discharge capacity of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /C anode exhibited 160 mAh·g ¹1 at 10 C and 50°C and maintained 98% of the initial discharge capacity after 100th cycle.

Synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 negative electrode material in a fluidized bed thermogravimetric analyzer

“…[ 8 ] Many research achievements showed that electrodes consisting of nano‐particles exhibit higher capacity and cycling performance. [ 9–11 ] However, nanoparticles usually have low tap density which adds to the complexity of electrode production. Ultrafine electrode materials with high specific surface area tend to agglomerate at the surface of current collector and increase the contact resistance between collector and electrodes.…”

“…Nano‐scale Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 is generally obtained by wet chemical methods, including hydrothermal/solvothermal methods, emulsion gel process, and spray drying. [ 11,16,17 ] The wet chemical methods require a large amount of solvents, such as water, ethanol, or citric acid, and metal‐organic compounds. Using organic solvents and metal precursors in large amounts not only releases carbon dioxide into the environment after high temperature calcinations, but also increases production costs.…”