The effects of Li2CO3 particle size on the properties of lithium titanate as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Spinel structured Li4Ti5O12 was synthesized by a solid-state method using TiO2 and Li2CO3 as starting materials. High-energy ball milling was used to obtain the Li2CO3 samples with different particle size. Then, the effects of Li2CO3 particle size on the structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12 samples were investigated in detail. The samples were characterized by TG/DTA analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical tests, respectively. The results indicate that fine Li2CO3 particles will promote the interfacial reaction between Li2CO3 and TiO2 in solid-state reaction. The crystallinity and particle size of Li4Ti5O12 depend on the particle size of Li2CO3. Electrochemical tests show that Li4Ti5O12 samples synthesized by fine Li2CO3 particles exhibit better rate capacity and cycle performance.