Enhanced electrochemical performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ as anode material for lithium-ion batteries with different carbons as support

Nano-Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/carbon composites with various structures are designed using tetrabutyl titanate as a precursor via a facile in situ liquid deposition method in the presence of three different carbons (multiwalled carbon nanotubes, spherical conductive carbon black super-P and ordered macroporous carbon). The nano-Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/carbon composites with various morphologies are formed depending on the carbon matrixes used. The Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ particles obtained are approximately 100 nm in size and homogeneously dispersed in different carbon matrixes. It is found that the structures of the carbon matrixes have a close relation to the discharge capacities of the composites. At the discharge current density of 875 mA g^-1, the discharge capacities of nano-Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/carbon composites with 10 wt% carbon are 138.6, 120.8 and 120.9 mAh g^-1 for carbon nanotubes, super-P and porous carbon as the carbon supports, respectively. The nano-Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/carbon using carbon nanotubes as support exhibits superior performance with large reversible capacity, excellent cycle stability and good rate capability. Capacity retention of 99% can be maintained after 100 cycles, suggesting its promising potential as anode materials.