Spinel lithium titanate from brookite nanocrystallites

Spinel lithium titanate nanoparticles have been synthesized using anatase and brookite nanocrystallites, as precursors. The corresponding products, A- and B-Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles, have distinct differences in the optical absorption property, electrochemical performance and photocatalytic activity. The UV–vis absorption spectrum of B-Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles shows strong and wide absorption in the ultraviolet and visible region. B-Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles from brookite exhibit a higher discharge capacity than A-Li4Ti5O12 from anatase. The charge–discharge cycle stability for two types of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles is excellent. Besides, B-Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles have much higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of pollutant CHCl3 than A-Li4Ti5O12.