Polyol-mediated synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticle and its electrochemical properties

Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles were precipitated from ethylene glycol solution of titanium tetra isopropoxide (Ti(O-iPr)(4)) and Li2O2 by refluxing at 197 degrees C for 12 h. The obtained particles were filtered and dried at 100 degrees C for 12 h, and the dried powder samples were heated at 320, 500 and 800 degrees C for 3 h. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the obtained samples exhibited a good fit with the spinel phase. The field emission-SEM images of the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500 and 800 degrees C for 3 11 showed a uniform spherical morphology with a particle size of 5, 8, 10 and 400 nm, respectively. According to the results of electrochemical testing, the dried powder sample and the samples heated at 320, 500, and 800 degrees C for 3 h showed initial capacities of 200, 3 10, 320, and 260 mA h/g, respectively, at a current density of 0.05 mA/cm(2). Nanosized (6-8 nm) particles with good crystallinity were obtained by controlling the synthesis conditions. The sample heated at 500 degrees C for 3 h exhibited a high capacity and an excellent rate capability over 60 cycles. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.