Li4Ti5O12 nanosheets embedded in three-dimensional amorphous carbon for superior-rate battery applications

Li4Ti5O12 nanosheets (LTONS) embedded in three-dimensional amorphous carbon (3DAC) are fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. Structure and morphology analyses confirm that the Li2TiO3 impurity phase is effectively suppressed in LTONS@3DAC and that the stacking of LTONS is also significantly inhibited in the porous matrix of the 3DAC, helpfully increasing the lithium ion diffusion coefficient. Compared to LTONS, LTONS@3DAC has a greatly enhanced electrochemical performance, including superior rate capabilities of 146, 142, and 140 mAh g−1 at the current rates of 32, 48, and 64 C, respectively, and an excellent cycling stability of 140 mAh g−1 after 700 cycles at 8 C. Therefore, the LTONS@3DAC composite is promising for applications in superior-rate lithium-ion batteries.