Li4Ti5O12/C composite electrode material synthesized involving conductive carbon precursor for Li-ion battery

Li4Ti5O12/C composite was synthesized via a simple solid-state reaction using Super-P-Li conductive carbon black as reaction precursor. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TG and granularity analysis and their electrochemical performance was also investigated in this work. The results showed that the Li4Ti5O12/C composite had a spinel crystal structure and the particle size of the powder was uniformly distributed with an average particle size of 480 nm. The conductive carbon was embedded in the Li4Ti5O12 particles without incorporation in the Li4Ti5O12 crystal lattice during the sintering process. The added Super-P-Li carbon played an important role in improving the electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the Li4Ti5O12/C electrode. Compared with raw Li4Ti5O12, the Li4Ti5O12/C composite exhibited higher rate capability and excellent reversibility. The initial discharge capacity of Li4Ti5O12/C composite was 174.5 mAh g−1 at 0.5C and 169.3 mAh g−1 at 1C.