Carbon-coated Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂: A high power and low-voltage insertion anode with exceptional cycleability for Li-ion batteries

The synthesis of carbon-coated Li₃Nd₃W ₂O₁₂ (C-Li₃Nd₃W₂O ₁₂), a low voltage insertion anode (0.3 V vs. Li) for a Li-ion battery, is reported to exhibit extraordinary performance. The low voltage reversible insertion provides an increase in the energy density of Li-ion power packs. For instance, C-Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂ delivered an energy density of ≈390 Wh kg^-1 (based on cathode mass loading) when coupled with an LiMn₂O₄ cathode with an operating potential of 3.4 V. Furthermore, excellent cycling profiles are observed for C-Li₃Nd₃W₂O₁₂ anodes both in half and full-cell configurations. The full-cell is capable of delivering very stable cycling profiles at high current rates (e.g., 2 C), which clearly suggests the high power capability of such garnet-type anodes. A low-voltage and high power garnet framework Li₃Nd₃W ₂O₁₂ insertion anode is successfully demonstrated in a full-cell configuration with a long cycle life. The full-cell is capable of delivering very stable cycling profiles at high current rates, which clearly suggests the high power capability of such garnet-type anodes.