Facile spray drying route for large scale nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 anode material in lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Solid state ionics 2017-06, Vol.304, p.40-45
• Main Authors: Xu, Guiying, Quan, Xuejun, Gao, Huanfang, Li, Jun, Cai, Yongwei, Cheng, Xingxing, Guo, Liping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anode; Li4Ti5O12; Lithium-ion batteries; Nitrogen-doped carbon; Spray drying
• ISSN: 0167-2738; 1872-7689
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssi.2017.03.018

Nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 composite (Li4Ti5O12@N-C) was prepared by the spray drying method with a following solid-state calcination. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of Li4Ti5O12@N-C were investigated using XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM and electrochemical measurements. Well-crystallized Li4Ti5O12@N-C with no impurity could be obtained at temperature of 800°C owing to the uniform precursor powder. In the as-prepared microspheres, the nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) around the Li4Ti5O12 particles provided a three-dimensional (3D) conductive matrix which could facilitate the transport of electrons and Li+-ions. Compared to the carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 anode (Li4Ti5O12@C), the Li4Ti5O12@N-C exhibited superior electrochemical property, delivering a specific discharge capacity of 143.6mAhg−1 at high current density of 10 C with capacity retention of 95.3% over 200cycles. The results reveal that this synthesis route and N-doping strategy are effective to prepare high performance Li4Ti5O12 anode for advanced energy storage. •Li4Ti5O12@N-C microsphere was prepared by the spray drying method.•Well-crystallized Li4Ti5O12@N-C with no impurity could be obtained at temperature of 800°C.•The N-C layer around the Li4Ti5O12 particles can provide a three-dimensional conductive matrix.•The Li4Ti5O12@N-C material exhibits better electrochemical performance than the Li4Ti5O12@C.