Synthesis of LTO Nanorods with AC/Nano-Si Composite as Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

In this study, the synthesis of lithium titanate (LTO) composite with 3 wt% activated carbons (AC) and 10 wt%, 15 wt%, as well as 20 wt% of nano silicon (nano-Si) are carried out. LTO has zero-strain characteristics and has a long life cycle. However, its capacity is limited, and it has poor electrical conductivity. The addition of nano-Si aims to enhance its capacity, while the AC aims to provide a large specific surface area to increase electrical conductivity. The nanorod templates are made from titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which is obtained from titanium (IV) butoxide using the sol–gel method. Nanorod structures are achieved by a hydrothermal process in a 10 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. However, needle-like structures are also observed, and the Li₂TiO₃ phase is finally formed. Battery performance is determined by CV, CD, and EIS tests. EIS results show that the highest electrical conductivity is found in LTO only; the CV test results show that the highest specific capacity is found in LTO–AC/15% nano-Si, at 140.7 mAh/g, as well as a charge–discharge (CD) capacity at a current rate of 0.2 to 20 C.

In this study, the synthesis of lithium titanate (LTO) composite with 3 wt% activated carbons (AC) and 10 wt%, 15 wt%, as well as 20 wt% of nano silicon (nano-Si) are carried out. LTO has zero-strain characteristics and has a long life cycle. However, its capacity is limited, and it has poor electrical conductivity. The addition of nano-Si aims to enhance its capacity, while the AC aims to provide a large specific surface area to increase electrical conductivity. The nanorod templates are made from titanium dioxide (TiO₂), which is obtained from titanium (IV) butoxide using the sol–gel method. Nanorod structures are achieved by a hydrothermal process in a 10 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. However, needle-like structures are also observed, and the Li₂TiO₃ phase is finally formed. Battery performance is determined by CV, CD, and EIS tests. EIS results show that the highest electrical conductivity is found in LTO only; the CV test results show that the highest specific capacity is found in LTO–AC/15% nano-Si, at 140.7 mAh/g, as well as a charge–discharge (CD) capacity at a current rate of 0.2 to 20 C.