Enhanced rate capability of Li4Ti5O12 anode material by a photo-assisted sol–gel route for lithium-ion batteries

Photo-assisted sol–gel route was developed to prepare nanostructured Li4Ti5O12 anode materials. Resulting Li4Ti5O12 powders were characterized by phase analysis, microscopic morphology observation, and cyclic charge/discharge tests. As lithium-ion battery electrode, synthesized Li4Ti5O12 material by using the photo-assisted sol–gel route shows specific capacity of 120 mAh g−1 at 10C discharge rate. Furthermore, this material retains 98% of its initial specific capacity at 0.2C after 50 charge/discharge measurements. Outstanding rate capability and cycling stability of this Li4Ti5O12 material are mainly derived from grain refinement induced by ultraviolet photo-irradiation. Therefore, this photo-assisted sol–gel route is attractive alternative method for preparing electrode materials for high-power lithium-ion battery applications