The synergistic effect supported Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode with advanced lithium storage performance

Low specific capacity and poor electrical conductivity are the two intrinsic problems of spinel lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂), which limit the practical use of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode in lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we demonstrate that the capacity and rate performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anodes can be greatly improved by the synergistic effect of facile hierarchical structure design and in-situ decoration of tiny TiO₂. The as-prepared ultrafine nanowire assembled and TiO₂ in-situ decorated clew-like Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode is able to deliver a ultrahigh reversible specific capacity of 195.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 20 mA g⁻¹ and 125 mAh g⁻¹ at 5000 mA g⁻¹ even after 5000 cycles, exhibiting excellent lithium storage performance and cycling stability. Thus obtained outstanding electrochemical performance largely surpasses that of reportedly state-of-the-art LTO-based anode materials. This work may pave the way to facilely prepare advanced Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.