High rate capacity nanocomposite lanthanum oxide coated lithium zinc titanate anode for rechargeable lithium-ion battery

• Nano layer La2O3 coated Li2ZnTi3O8 particles have been prepared via a suspension mixing process followed by heat treatment.
• Coated Li2ZnTi3O8 has enhanced high rate capability, cyclic stability and long lifespan performance.
• Electrochemical properties were tested in a charge/discharge voltage range of 3.0–0.05 V (vs. Li/Li+).

Lithium zinc titanate (Li2ZnTi3O8) is an important titanium material of promising candidates for anode materials with superior electrochemical performance and thus has attracted extensive attention. Herein, high capacity, stable Li2ZnTi3O8/La2O3 nanocomposite for lithium-ion battery anode is prepared by a facile strategy. Compared to unmodified Li2ZnTi3O8, the Li2ZnTi3O8/La2O3 electrode display a high specific capacity of 188.6 mAh g−1 and remain as high as 147.7 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. Moreover, a reversible capacity of 76.3 mAh g−1 can be obtained after 1000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1 and the retention is 42.7% for Li2ZnTi3O8/La2O3, which is much higher than un-coated Li2ZnTi3O8. The superior lithium storage performances of the Li2ZnTi3O8/La2O3 can be ascribed to the stable layer of protection, small particle size and large surface area. Cyclic voltammograms result reveals that the La2O3 coating layer reduces the polarization and improves the electrochemical activity of anode.