Synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters for lithium-ion batteries with excellent electrochemical performances

•Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters are synthesized by a facile solution-based method and subsequent calcination.•They display a high capacity of 176 mAh g− 1 at 0.1 °C.•The nanoclusters exhibit outstanding capacity retention (95.7% over 100 cycles) and rate performance.

Li4Ti5O12 nanoclusters are successfully prepared by a facile solution-based method and subsequent calcination. The influences of calcination temperatures on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of the products are studied. Results indicate that the sample annealed at 700 °C exhibits outstanding rate performances and excellent long-term cycle stabilities. It displays a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 96.0% and a desirable discharge capacity of 176 mAh g− 1 at 0.1 °C between 1.0 and 2.5 V (vs. Li/Li+). The discharge capacity at 10 °C is as high as 116 mAh g− 1 with capacity retention of 95.7% over 100 cycles. Therefore, this Li4Ti5O12 nanocluster material can be a superior and practical candidate for the anodes of high-power lithium-ion batteries.