Spinel Li4Ti5O12 nanowires for high-rate Li-ion intercalation electrode

Abstract

A large quantity of spinel Li4 Ti5 O12 nanowires was prepared by firing a mixture of Ti O2 1.25 H2 O nanowires and Li acetates at 800°C for 3 h. The spinel nanowire had a diameter of 150 nm, which was similar to that of Ti O2 H2 O nanowire. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the spinel wire was 38 m2 g, which was seven times higher than that of fine particles, which had a BET surface area of only 4.6 m2 g. The first discharge capacity was 165 mAhg at a 0.1 C rate and 93% capacity was retained even after a 10 C rate. We believe that these results were associated with a more active surface in the nanowires which facilitated faster lithium diffusion due to shorter pathways.