Graphene-encapsulated Li₂MnTi₃O₈ nanoparticles as a high rate anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Graphene-encapsulated Li₂MnTi₃O₈ nanoparticles were synthesized via a modified sol-gel process using graphene oxide as the template. The prepared Li₂MnTi₃O₈ material has a complex spinel structure in the P4₃32 space group. The morphology of the graphene-encapsulated Li₂MnTi₃O₈ composite indicates that the Li₂MnTi₃O₈ particles can be uniformly scattered on a graphene substrate, and these particles have a size of 10-20 nm. The electrochemical properties indicate that the graphene-encapsulated Li₂MnTi₃O₈ material possesses a stable reversible discharge capacity of ∼220 mAh g^-1 after 50 cycles at 0.1 C. In addition, the reversible capacity at 2 C improved by 70% after graphene-encapsulation, which indicates the excellent high rate capability.