Novel Li4Ti5O12/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite as a high rate anode material for lithium ion batteries

Li4Ti5O12/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite was prepared by high temperature calcination method using Ti3C2Tx and LiOH as raw materials. The developed nanocomposite demonstrated excellent rate capability and capacity retention. It delivers a reversible capacity of 236 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g and had a relatively high specific capacity of 500 mA/g and 4000 mA/g, which is significantly better than pure Ti3C2Tx and LiTiO2. The exceptional electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12/Ti3C2Tx electrode can be attributed to the improvement of electronic conductivity by Ti3C2Tx and nano-size of Li4Ti5O12 particles in the Li4Ti5O12/Ti3C2Tx composite.