Single crystalline lithium titanate nanostructure with enhanced rate performance for lithium ion battery

Here we report the synthesis and electrochemical performance of 40 nm near-uniform lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) single crystals. The cubic spinel Li4Ti5O12 nanocrystals are transformed without size changes at 400 °C from cubic NaCl type (Li0.4H0.6)2TiO3 nanocrystals that are prepared from hydrothermal synthesized α-Li2TiO3. The prepared Li4Ti5O12 nanocrystals show reduced charge-transfer impedance and exhibit favorable performance under high current charging/discharging due to the reduced Li+ ion diffusion path.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 40 nm near-uniform Li4Ti5O12 single crystals are prepared from cubic α-LixTiO3. ► The transformation was carried out at 400 °C without sintering. ► Li4Ti5O12 single crystals exhibited enhanced rate capability.