Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ spinel anode: Fundamentals and advances in rechargeable batteries

Abstract

The Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) spinel material, ranking at the second large market share after graphite, is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries due to its good cycle stability, rate capability, and safety with both conventional and low‐temperature electrolytes. However, several critical challenges, such as the low capacity and gassing issue, hindered the wide applications of LTO anode. Recent progress indicated that the LTO performances are possible to be further improved by novel strategies, such as heterogeneous phase control, surface engineering, or overlithiation. To rethink and develop advanced LTO anodes, this review intensively associates the performances and modification strategies with the electronics/crystal structures. From a thermodynamic/kinetic point of view, we summarized the data obtained from recently developed characterization techniques, and the results of electrochemical performances and fundamental structures of LTO to potentially address several key challenges and issues toward advanced LTO anodes. As a result, light is shed on the future research direction of the LTO anodes.image

Computational Design of Cation-Disordered Li3Ta2O5 with Fast Ion Diffusion Dynamics and Rich Redox Chemistry for a High-Rate Li-Ion Battery Anode Material

“…However, its low average potential (0.1 V) induces Li plating and causes safety issues, which hinder its practical application as a high-rate anode . To solve the problem, zero-strain lithium titanate Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 was proposed with an average potential of 1.55 V that can reduce the hazard of dendrite growth and thermal runaway. , However, Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 suffers from a low gravimetric capacity (175 mAh g –1 ) and volumetric capacity (612 mAh cm –3 ), low output voltage, and sluggish kinetic transport . It is known that the volumetric capacity is an important factor in EVs, where a high volumetric capacity is needed to boost the driving range .…”

“…4,5 However, Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 suffers from a low gravimetric capacity (175 mAh g −1 ) and volumetric capacity (612 mAh cm −3 ), low output voltage, and sluggish kinetic transport. 6 It is known that the volumetric capacity is an important factor in EVs, where a high volumetric capacity is needed to boost the driving range. 7 This parameter can be significantly increased in compounds with heavy elements in the periodic table.…”

Zirconium(IV) Doping Enlarging Lithium-Ion Diffusion Channel of Lithium-Rich Li2.24SrTi6O14Anode Material for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…As a "zero strain" material, LTO has almost no volume change during charging and discharging. 22,23 The working potential of LTO (∼1.55 V vs Li + /Li) is much higher than that of graphite and thus effectively inhibits the formation of lithium dendrites on the LTO electrode. Hence, LTO has satisfactory cycling stability and high safety.…”

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Orthorhombic Nickel Niobate (NiNb2O6) as a Robust and Fast Charging Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…One of the most promising anode materials for LIBs is lithium titanium oxide (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , LTO), a spinel-type material, which has been the closest contender to graphite since the late 1990s. 10 This is largely due to LTO's thermal stability, nanosize particles, fastcharging ability, low volume change, long cycle life, and high power density in a full cell. Furthermore, LTO has a higher lithiation voltage at 1.55 V that prevents Li plating on the electrode surface.…”

“…Furthermore, full-cell LTO systems with a LFP cathode, although deemed to be safer than other LIBs, have gassing issues that result in swelling during cycling. 10 Therefore, LTO still requires more research to enhance its performance and safety for large-scale applications. In search for an anode material that combines the strengths of graphite and LTO, various transition metal oxides have been shown to be promising anode materials for LIBs.…”