Electrochemical properties of stacked-nanoflake Li4Ti5O12 spinel synthesized by a polymer-pyrolysis method

Stacked-nanoflake Li4Ti5O12 spinel was synthesized via the pyrolysis of a Li–Ti copolymeric precursor formed by in situ polymerization of LiOH and [Ti(OC4H9)4] and acrylic acid. XRD and SEM characterization shows that the powders calcined at 700 °C for 3 h was well-crystallized particles with submicron diameter. Charge–discharge measurement showed the Li4Ti5O12 electrode had displayed excellent rate capability and delivered reversible capacity of 171, 158, 148, 138 and 99 mAh g−1 at rates of 0.1C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C and 4C, respectively. The test electrode also showed excellent cyclability as the capacity retains 96.1% after 60 cycles between 0.5 and 2.5 V.