Synthesis and electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12 by high temperature ball milling method

A novel approach has been developed to synthesize lithium titanate assembled by highly-crystalline micron-sized particles. The fabrication process was very simple, involving only a high temperature ball milling method with Li2CO3 and amorphous TiO2 as starting materials. The ball milling and its influence on the synthesis temperature, the morphology and electrochemical performance of Li4Ti3O12 were uniformly investigated in this paper. The results showed the dispersion of Li4Ti3O12 powder with sizes of around 0.5-2 mu m and with an irregular shape. Results from the discharge measurements indicated that the sample A(2) synthesized at 750 degrees C exhibited an excellent initial discharge capability of 170.313 mA h/g at 0.1 C-rate. After 16 cycles, the capacity retention was 91.6%. This facile high temperature ball milling method could be an expectant practical powder technology for the synthesis of Li4Ti3O12 in industrial production. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.