Hydrothermal synthesis of Zn-doped Li4Ti5O12 with improved high rate properties for lithium ion batteries

Hydrothermal method has been successfully used to synthesize a spheroidic zinc doped Li4Ti5O12 (Li3.95Zn0.05Ti5O12) with large specific surface area. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are used to characterize the structure and morphology. The electrochemical properties are measured by the galvanostatic method and the results demonstrate that the Li4Ti3.95Zn0.05O12 has a large discharge capacity of 182.45 mAh/g at 0.1C. With the favorable transport channel caused by the doped Zn2+, the Li3.95Zn0.05Ti5O12 exhibits an enhanced high rate capacity of 122.38 mAh/g and better cyclic stability at 10C, which is promising for application in lithium ion batteries. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.