Synthesis of nanosheets-assembled lithium titanate hollow microspheres and their application to lithium ion battery anodes

• Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres were prepared by a simple method.
• Li4Ti5O12 showed superior electrochemical performance due to the hollow microsphere.
• A possible growth mechanism of Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres assembled by nanosheets was further expounded.

Hierarchical assembly of hollow microstructures is of great scientificity and practical value. In this paper, a hydrothermal synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres assembled by nanosheets is introduced. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image shows that such Li4Ti5O12 microspheres, with sizes of 2 μm in diameter, are composed of a hollow inner cavity and thin outer shell assembled by nanosheets. A possible growth mechanism of the structure is further expounded. The Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres calcinated at 700 °C display extremely good electrochemical performance, including high capacity (147.3 mA h g−1 at 3 C), excellent cyclic stability (95.0% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 3 C) and remarkable rate capability (131.3 mA h g−1 at 20 C).