Hierarchically structured lithium titanate for ultrafast charging in long-life high capacity batteries.

Title Hierarchically structured lithium titanate for ultrafast charging in long-life high capacity batteries.
Authors M. Odziomek; F. Chaput; A. Rutkowska; K. ?wierczek; D. Olszewska; M. Sitarz; F. Lerouge; S. Parola
Journal Nat Commun
DOI 10.1038/ncomms15636
Abstract

High-performance Li-ion batteries require materials with well-designed and controlled structures on nanometre and micrometre scales. Electrochemical properties can be enhanced by reducing crystallite size and by manipulating structure and morphology. Here we show a method for preparing hierarchically structured Li4Ti5O12 yielding nano- and microstructure well-suited for use in lithium-ion batteries. Scalable glycothermal synthesis yields well-crystallized primary 4-8?nm nanoparticles, assembled into porous secondary particles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals presence of Ti(+4) only; combined with chemical analysis showing lithium deficiency, this suggests oxygen non-stoichiometry. Electron microscopy confirms hierarchical morphology of the obtained material. Extended cycling tests in half cells demonstrates capacity of 170?mAh?g(-1) and no sign of capacity fading after 1,000 cycles at 50C rate (charging completed in 72?s). The particular combination of nanostructure, microstructure and non-stoichiometry for the prepared lithium titanate is believed to underlie the observed electrochemical performance of material.

Citation M. Odziomek; F. Chaput; A. Rutkowska; K. ?wierczek; D. Olszewska; M. Sitarz; F. Lerouge; S. Parola.Hierarchically structured lithium titanate for ultrafast charging in long-life high capacity batteries.. Nat Commun. 2017;8:15636. doi:10.1038/ncomms15636

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