Optimized Preparation and Potential Range for Spinel Lithium Titanate Anode for High-Rate Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The significant demand for energy storage systems has spurred innovative designs and extensive research on lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To that end, an in-depth examination of utilized materials and relevant methods in conjunction with comparing electrochemical mechanisms is required. Lithium titanate (LTO) anode materials have received substantial interest in high-performance LIBs for numerous applications. Nevertheless, LTO is limited due to capacity fading at high rates, especially in the extended potential range of 0.01–3.00 V versus Li⁺/Li, while delivering the theoretical capacity of 293 mAh g⁻¹. This study demonstrates how the performance of the LTO anode can be improved by modifying the manufacturing process. Altering the dry and wet mixing duration and speeds throughout the manufacturing process leads to differences in particle sizes and homogeneity of dispersion and structure. The optimized anode at 5 A g⁻¹ (≈17C) and 10 A g⁻¹ (≈34C) yielded 188 and 153 mAh g⁻¹ and retained 73% and 68% of their initial capacity after 1000 cycles, respectively. The following findings offer valuable information regarding the empirical modifications required during electrode fabrication. Additionally, it sheds light on the potential to produce efficient anodes using commercial LTO powder.