Abstract
Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet and Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet/CNT nanocomposite were prepared in ethyl alcohol medium by a low-cost hydrothermal method. The CNTs are incorporated into the Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet homogenously, and then provide a highly conductive network for electron transportation. Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet/CNT composite with 4 wt.% CNTs exhibits excellent rate capability and superior cycle life between 1 and 2.5 V. Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet/CNTs (4 wt.%) shows superior rate performance with discharge capacities of 137.5 mAh g super(-1) at 2 C charge-discharge rate after 90 cycles and 128.3 mAh g super(-1) at 3 C charge-discharge rate after 120 cycles. The significantly improved rate capability of the Li sub(4)Ti sub(5)O sub(12) nanosheet/CNT electrodes can be mainly ascribed to the reduced resistance and polarization and improved lithium diffusion coefficient. The same strategy adopted in this work could be helpful to develop advanced electrochemical energy storage systems with long cycle life and high rate performance.
