Tailored Oxygen Framework of Li4Ti5O12 Nanorods for High-Power Li Ion Battery

Abstract

Here we designed the kinetically favored Li4Ti5O12 by modifying its crystal structure to improve intrinsic Li diffusivity for high power density. Our first-principles calculations revealed that the substituted Na expanded the oxygen framework of Li4Ti5O12 and facilitated Li ion diffusion in Li4Ti5O12 through 3-D high-rate diffusion pathway secured by Na ions. Accordingly, we synthesized sodium-substituted Li4Ti5O12 nanorods having not only a morphological merit from 1-D nanostructure engineering but also sodium substitution-induced open framework to attain ultrafast Li diffusion. The new material exhibited an outstanding cycling stability and capacity retention even at 200 times higher current density (20 C) compared with the initial condition (0.1 C).