Hybrid vertical graphene/lithium titanate–CNTs arrays for lithium ion storage with extraordinary performance

Abstract

In the present study, we report a synthetic strategy for the direct fabrication of hybrid vertical graphene/lithium titanate–CNTs arrays via atomic layer deposition in combination with chemical vapor deposition. A novel array architecture was formed where active lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, LTO) was uniformly sandwiched by a vertical graphene backbone and an interconnected CNTs shell. The hybrid omnibearing conductive network was identified to be an extremely stable porous structure and demonstrated superior ultra-high rate capability (146 mA h g⁻¹ at 50C and 131 mA h g⁻¹ at 100C) with a capacity of 136 mA h g⁻¹ at 20C after 10 000 cycles when used as an electrode in lithium ion batteries. This special electrode construction strategy is expected to provide a new route for the manufacture of electrochemical energy storage with ultra-high rate capability and ultra-stability.