Effect of graphene nanosheets on electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12 in lithium-ion capacitors

Abstract In order to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium titanium oxide, Li4Ti5O12 (LTO), for the use in the lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) application, LTO/graphene composites were synthesized through a solid state reaction. The composite exhibited an interwoven structure with LTO particles dispersed into graphene nanosheets network rather than an agglomerated state pristine LTO particles. It was found that there is an optimum percentage of graphene additives for the formation of pure LTO phase during the solid state synthesis of LTO/graphene composite. The effect of graphene nanosheets addition on electrochemical performance of LTO was investigated by a systemic characterization of galvanostatic cycling in lithium and lithium-ion cell configuration. The optimized composite exhibited a decreased polarization upon cycling and delivered a specific capacity of 173 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and a well maintained capacity of 65 mA h g−1 even at 20 C. The energy density of 14 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 2700 W kg−1 was exhibited by a LIC full cell with a balanced mass ratio of anode to cathode along with a superior capacitance retention of 97% after 3000 cycles at a current density of 0.4 A g−1. This boost in reversible capacity, rate capability and cycling performance was attributed to a synergistic effect of graphene nanosheets, which provided a short lithium ion diffusion path as well as facile electron conduction channels.