Facile preparation of Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs composite with high-rate performance for lithium ion battery

Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs material was fabricated through a facile solid-state reaction. The structure and morphology of Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs material were determined by XRD and SEM. The electrical conductivity of the composite is improved by imbedding Li4Ti5O12 particles into the conductive AB/MWCNTs network. The electrochemical properties of the Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs composite was measured by charge–discharge tests, cyclic voltammogram (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Compared with the pristine Li4Ti5O12 sample, Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs material exhibits an excellent high rate performance and cycling performance, which is due to the decrease of particle size and the increase of electrical conductivity of the material. The discharge capacities were 116 and 102 mAh g−1 at the charge–discharge rates of 20 and 30 C, respectively. After 1000 cycles at 2 C, the discharge capacity of the composite maintained 163 mAh g−1.

► Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs composite was synthesized through a facile, scalable solid-state reaction.
► A conductive network formed in the prepared composite effectively improves the electrical conductivity of Li4Ti5O12.
► Prepared Li4Ti5O12/AB/MWCNTs material exhibits excellent high-rate performance.