Ion-exchange synthesis and improved Li insertion property of lithiated H2Ti12O25 as a negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries

We successfully prepared the lithiated H2Ti12O25 sample by the H+/Li+ ion exchange synthetic technique in the molten LiNO3 at 270 °C using H2Ti12O25 as a starting compound. Chemical composition of the obtained lithiated H2Ti12O25 sample was determined to be H1.05Li0.35Ti12O25-δ having δ = 0.3 by ICP-AES and DTA-TG analyses. The H+/Li+ ion exchange was also confirmed by powder XRD, 1H-MAS NMR, and 7Li-MAS NMR measurements. Electrochemical Li insertion and extraction measurements revealed that the initial coulombic efficiency was improved from 88% in H2Ti12O25 to 93% in the lithiated H2Ti12O25 sample. In addition, superior capacity retention properties for the charge and discharge cycling performance and good charge rate capability of the present lithiated H2Ti12O25 were confirmed in the electrochemical measurements. Accordingly, the lithiated H2Ti12O25 is suggested to be one of the promising high-voltage and high-capacity oxide negative electrodes in advanced lithium-ion batteries.