Electrochemical behavior of a lithium titanium spinel compound synthesized via a sol-gel process

The synthesis and the structural features of a mixed lithium titanium spinel Li4/3Ti5/3O4 obtained via a sol-gel process in nonaqueous media are reported. Electrochemical lithium insertion occurs in one reduction process located at 1.550 V, and corresponds to the insertion of 1 Li per Li4/3Ti5/3O4 (150 A h kg(-1))in octahedral sites. During cycling experiments performed at discharge-charge rates of C/20, a stabilization of the specific capacity around 105 A h kg (-1) (0.7 F mol(-1)) occurs after the 20th cycle.