David Eskenazi

Effect of freeze-drying and self-ignition process on the microstructural and electrochemical properties of Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12}

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} is prepared by a method involving self-ignition of a freeze-dried gel. • Addition of NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} modifies the self-ignition propagation mode. • Well-crystallized Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} phase is obtained after only 2 h at 800 °C. • Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} powder has 161 mAh g{sup −1} capacity and good retention at C/4 rate. - Abstract: Crystalline Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} is synthesized by a method involving the freeze-drying and self-ignition of a gel prepared from titanium isopropoxide, lithium nitrate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). This synthesis route yields crystalline Li{sub 4}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 12} particles after calcination at 800 °C for 2 h. In an alternative route, addition of ammonium nitrate shifts the self-ignition mode from wave-like propagation to simultaneous. Powders with different microstructures are thereby obtained. Electrochemical characterization shows that the best results for Li{sup +} intercalation/desintercalation are obtained for the powder prepared without ammonium nitrate addition. These results highlight the necessity for a control of the self-ignition mode to obtain adequate properties.