Phase-selective hydrothermal synthesis of hydrous lithium titanates nanoparticles as a precursor to Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries

The phase-selective synthesis of (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O5·2H2O flakes and homogenous LiTiO2 spheres has been achieved by means of a hydrothermal method using a titanium–triethanolamine complex. Compared with other Ti sources this offers the advantage of being more stable in water, though the crystal phases obtained depend on the growth conditions used, such as the initial Li/Ti ratio and aging time. The (Li1.81H0.19)Ti2O5·2H2O flakes were obtained through aging at 250 °C for 3 h from an initial Li/Ti ratio of 1.0 and exhibited a large surface area of 135 m2 g−1. Subsequent heat treatment of these flakes yielded Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles with an even larger surface area (141 m2 g−1) and a discharge capacity of 164 mA h g−1, making them suited for use as an active material in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.