Formation mechanism of spinel LiTi2O4 prepared by carbon thermal reduction reaction

Abstract

The formation mechanism of LiTi₂O₄, prepared by a carbon thermal reduction reaction using Li₂CO₃ and TiO₂ (anatase) as starting materials and acetylene black as a reducing agent, was investigated by in situ variable temperature X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry system. It was found that the cooling rate significantly impacts on obtaining pure phase LiTi₂O₄ sample after forming LiTi₂O₄ product during the carbon thermal reduction reaction. LiTi₂O₄ has excellent cycling stability, remaining a specific capacity of 126.6/111.9 mA h g⁻¹ with a capacity fade of 5.1%/3.1% at 0.5C/1C rate after 200 cycles.