Nanostructured lithium titanate and lithium titanate/carbon nanocomposite as anode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with high energy and power are promising power sources for electric vehicles (including hybrid electric vehicles). One of the challenges is to develop advanced anode materials with high safety, good cycling stability, and fast charge/discharge capabilities. The Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 spinel is a state-of-the-art Li-ion battery anode material owing to its outstanding safety and excellent structural stability during cycling. However, Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 large particles still suffer from low ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity, which result in poor rate performance and inhibit its wide practical application. Developing nanostructured electrode materials is one of the most attractive strategies to dramatically enhance the electrochemical performance, including capacity, rate capability, and cycling life. Currently, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing nanostructured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /carbon nanocomposites to improve their rate performance for high-power Li-ion batteries. In this article, we review the recent progress in developing nanostructured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /carbon nanocomposites and discuss the benefits of nanostructure and carbon incorporation for the electrochemical performance of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 -based anodes.