Fast microwave-assisted synthesis of Nb-doped Li4Ti5O12 for high-rate lithium-ion batteries

Nb-doped Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) has been successfully prepared by a fast and economical microwave-assisted solid-state reaction process. The microwave system can significantly shorten the synthesis time to minutes and yield uniform Nb-doped LTO nanocrystals. Results show that the electrode of Nb-doped LTO prepared by microwave irradiation exhibits enhanced electrochemical properties in comparison to the LTO (T) powder prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction. In particular, the Nb-doped LTO electrode with the Nb-containing content of x = 0.03 exhibits the best electrochemical performances. Discharge capacities of 174.7, 157.1, 141.7, and 130.2 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles are achieved at the charge-discharge rates of 1, 5, 10, and 20 C, respectively. This work provides an effective way for the fast and mass production of Li4Ti5O12-based anode materials with superior rate performance.