One-pot combustion synthesis of Li₃VO₄-Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanocomposite as anode material of lithium-ion batteries with improved performance

Li₃VO₄-decorated Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (denoted as V-LTO) composites were synthesized via a facile one-pot cellulose-assisted combustion route. Homogeneous distribution of the Li₃VO₄ phase to introduce additional lithium ion transport paths in the composites and slight doping of vanadium into the lattice of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ phase were realized simultaneously through the one-pot synthesis, resulting in enhanced apparent ionic and electronic conductivity of the electrode materials. The product with optimal V content, i.e., V-LTO (1:8), showed much improved rate capacities compared with the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. The effect of vanadium incorporation on the over-discharge capability of anode materials at a lower voltage was also studied, and the V-LTO (1:8) electrode demonstrated a capacity of 193.6 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 2000 mA g⁻¹ in the potential window of 0.2-3.0 V, much higher than that of pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (141.0 mAh g⁻¹). A fairly good cycling stability was also achieved with a capacity retention ratio of 90.0% after working at 1000 mA g⁻¹ between 0.2 and 3.0 V for 200 times for the V-LTO (1:8) electrode, which is much higher compared with the capacity retention ratio of 73% for electrodes prepared with pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ under the same condition.