Preparation and electrochemical performance of tantalum-doped lithium titanate as anode material for lithium-ion battery

The electrochemical performance of Ta-doped Li4Ti5O12 in the form of Li4Ti4.95Ta0.05O12 was characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of Li4Ti4.95Ta0.05O12. Ta-doping does not change the phase composition and particle morphology, while improves remarkably its cycling stability at high charge/discharge rate. Li4Ti4.95Ta0.05O12 exhibits an excellent rate capability with a reversible capacity of 116.1 mA·h/g at 10C and even 91.0 mA·h/g at 30C. The substitution of Ta for Ti site can enhance the electronic conductivity of Li4Ti5O12 via the generation of mixing Ti4+/Ti3+, which indicates that Li4Ti4.95Ta0.05O12 is a promising candidate material for anodes in lithium-ion battery application.