Characterizations and electrochemical performance of pure and metal-doped Li4Ti5O12 for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries

Pure and metal (Cu, Al, Sn, and V)-doped Li4Ti5O12 powders are prepared with solid-state reaction method. The effects of dopants on the physical and electrochemical properties are characterized by using TGA, XRD, and SEM. Compared with pure Li4Ti5O12, metal-doped Li4Ti5O12 powders show structural stability and enhanced lithium ion diffusivity brought by doped metal ions. Voltage characteristics and initial charge–discharge characteristics according to the C rates in pure and metal-doped Li4Ti5O12 electrode materials are studied. Pure Li4Ti5O12 powder shows a relatively good discharge capacity of 164 mAh/g at a rate 0.2C, and some of metal-doped Li4Ti5O12 powders show higher discharge capacities. Metal-doped Li4Ti5O12 powders are promising candidates as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.