Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Li_4Ti_5O_(12) as Anode Material for Lithium Secondary Batteries

A novel technique was developed to prepare Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium secondary batteries. Solution of Ti4+ was prepared by TiCl4 as the raw material and then the spherical precursor was prepared via an outer gel method. Spherical Li4Ti5O12 powders were synthesized by sintering the mixture of spherical precursor and Li2CO3. The influence of temperature on performance of product was studied. The investigation of XRD, SEM and the determination of the electrochemical properties show that the Li4Ti5O12 powders prepared by this method are spherical, narrowly distributed, well crystallized. The Li4Ti5O12 powders also have excellent fluidity and excellent electrochemical performance. The tap-density of the product tested is as high as 1.80g·cm-3. Between 1.0 and 3.0V versus Li, the initial discharge specific capacity is as high as 160.7mAh·g-1, and the discharge specific capacity of the 20th cycle is 150.2mAh·g-1. Study shows that this method is appropriate for preparing Li4Ti5O12 with high tap-density and high electrochemical performance.