Binary Lithium Titanate-Titania Nanocomposite Thin-Film Electrodes for Electrochemical Energy Storage

This work introduces a facile approach for preparation of binary nanocomposite thin film electrodes for lithium-ion batteries with excellent storage capability, high rate performance, and good electrochemical stability. The Li4Ti5O12-TiO2 film electrodes are prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering deposition using a Li4Ti5O12 and TiO2 powder mixture target as sputtering source in an argon atmosphere. The Li4Ti5O12-TiO2 electrode yields good electrochemical performance in terms of high capacity (295mAhg(-1)) at a current density of 0.1C, good cycling stability (approximate to 5% capacity loss after 100 cycles at 0.1C), and excellent rate capability (158mAhg(-1) at a current density of 5C). The factors contributing to the excellent electrochemical performance are related to the binary nanocomposite structure. The results suggest that the Li4Ti5O12-TiO2 nanocomposite thin film can be used as an anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.