Ag enhanced electrochemical performance for Na2Li2Ti6O14 anode in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Due to the characteristics of an electronic insulator, Na2Li2Ti6O14 always suffers from low electronic conductivity as anode material for lithium storage. Via Ag coating, Na2Li2Ti6O14@Ag is fabricated, which has higher electronic conductivity than bare Na2Li2Ti6O14. Enhancing the Ag coating content from 0.0 to 10.0 wt%, the surface of Na2Li2Ti6O14 is gradually deposited by Ag nanoparticles. At 6.0 wt%, a continuous Ag conductive layer is formed on Na2Li2Ti6O14. While, particle growth and aggregation take place when the Ag coating content reaches 10.0 wt%. As a result, Na2Li2Ti6O14@6.0 wt% Ag displays better cycle and rate properties than other samples. It can deliver a lithium storage capacity of 131.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, 124.9 mAh g−1 at 150 mA g−1, 119.1 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1, 115.8 mAh g−1 at 250 mA g−1, 111.9 mAh g−1 at 300 mA g−1 and 109.4 mAh g−1 at 350 mA g−1, respectively.