Dual phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ hierarchical hollow microspheres as anode materials for high rate lithium-ion batteries

Dual phase Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ hierarchical hollow microspheres composed of nanosheets are successfully fabricated by the calcination of hydrothermal product obtained from lithium peroxotitanate complex solution. Low-cost industrial H₂TiO₃ particles are chosen as titanium sources, which is significant for the inexpensive and large-scale production of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ composite material. The Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ electrode yields excellent rate capability (151, 139 and 134 mA h g^-1 at 10, 20 and 25 C, respectively) and good cycling stability (96% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 10 C). The mesoporous hierarchical morphology and high grain boundary density are likely the contributing factors to the excellent electrochemical performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-TiO₂ composite.