Synthesis of dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ nanowires as anode for lithium-ion battery

Dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method at various temperatures of 180, 200 and 220 °C for 24 h. SEM images show that the morphology of dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ is nanowire with sizes in the range of 4–6 μm in length and 19–97 nm in diameter. The as-prepared dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ with the hydrothermal temperature of 200 °C exhibits excellent cycling performance and high rate capability when used as anode for lithium-ion batteries, obtaining reversible discharge capacity of 93.22 mAh/g at 0.1C and capacity fading less than 5%. It is attributed to the most crystalline phase of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) 200 °C, the most stable polarization curve and the unique structure of nanowires providing a large surface area which maintains good electronic contact between particles. This result demonstrates that dual-phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ has a high potential as anode material for high-rate application of lithium-ion battery.