Li4Ti5O12/Reduced Graphene Oxide composite as a high rate capability material for lithium ion batteries

Li4Ti5O12/Reduced Graphene Oxide composite is synthesized with Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) and graphene oxide nanosheets by spray-drying and annealing processes. The LTO primary particles aggregate in micro-sized spherical secondary particles, which are wrapped homogeneously and loosely with a Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) network .When used as a negative material for lithium ion batteries, the composite presents excellent rate performance and high cyclic stability. The initial discharge capacities are 167.8, 156.6, 135.1, and 106.4 mAh · g− 1 at the rates of 2, 5, 10 and 20 C, respectively. After 300 cycles at 20 C, it still can afford a specific capacity of approximately 100 mAh · g− 1. This makes the composite an attractive anode material for application in lithium ion batteries.

► It is the first time synthesizing Li4Ti5O12 /Reduced Graphene Oxide (LTO/RGO) composite by spray-drying.
► The network of RGO wrapping on Li4Ti5O12 particles created a synergetic effect.
► The composite presented excellent rate performance.