Synthesis and properties of nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12/C nano-composite: an anode for lithium ion batteries

摘要

Composite of nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12 and carbon (designated as Ni–Li4Ti5O12/C) is synthesized by solid-state reaction with sucrose added as the conductive carbon source. For comparison, nickel-doped Li4Ti5O12 (designated as Ni–Li4Ti5O12) is obtained under similar conditions. Both materials are characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, charge–discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of SEM images shows that Ni–Li4Ti5O12/C consists of smaller particles than Ni–Li4Ti5O12. Charge/discharge cycling as well as cyclic voltammetry studies prove that Ni–Li4Ti5O12/C electrodes perform much better than those made from Ni–Li4Ti5O12. The specific capacities of the Ni–Li4Ti5O12/C composite are close to the theoretical capacity of Li4Ti5O12 even at high current rates—the discharge capacity of Ni–Li4Ti5O12/C at 2C is equal to 164 mA h g?1.