CTAB-assisted sot gel synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 and its performance as anode material for Li-ion batteries

A simple CTAB-assisted sol-gel technique for synthesizing nano-sized Li4Ti5O12 with promising electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium ion battery is reported. The structural and morphological properties are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The electrochemical performance of both samples (with and without CTAB) calcined at 800 degrees C is evaluated using Swagelok (TM) cells by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling at room temperature. The XRD pattern for sample prepared in presence of CTAB and calcined at 800 degrees C shows high-purity cubic-spinel Li4Ti5O12 phase (JCPDS # 26-1198). Nanosized-Li4Ti5O12 calcined at 800 degrees C in presence of CTAB exhibits promising cycling performance with initial discharge capacity of 174 mAh g(-1) (similar to 100% of theoretical capacity) and sustains a capacity value of 164 mAh g(-1) beyond 30 cycles. By contrast, the sample prepared in absence of CTAB under identical reaction conditions exhibits initial discharge capacity of 140 mAh g(-1), (80% of theoretical capacity) that fades to 110 mAh g(-1) after 30 cycles. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.