Scalable in Situ Synthesis of Li4Ti5O12/Carbon Nanohybrid with Supersmall Li4Ti5O12 Nanoparticles Homogeneously Embedded in Carbon Matrix.

Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is regarded as a promising lithium-ion battery anode due to its stable cyclic performance and reliable operation safety. The moderate rate performance originated from the poor intrinsic electron and lithium-ion conductivities of the LTO has significantly limited its wide applications. A facile scalable synthesis of hierarchical Li4Ti5O12/C nanohybrids with supersmall LTO nanoparticles (ca. 17 nm in diameter) homogeneously embedded in the continuous submicrometer-sized carbon matrix is developed. Difunctional methacrylate monomers are used as solvent and carbon source to generate TiO2/C nanohybrid, which is in situ converted to LTO/C via a solid-state reaction procedure. The structure, morphology, crystallinity, composition, tap density, and electrochemical performance of the LTO/C nanohybrid are systematically investigated. Comparing to the control sample of the commercial LTO composited with carbon, the reversible specific capacity after 1000 cycles at 175 mA g-1 and rate performance at high current densities (875, 1750, and 3500 mA g-1) of the Li4Ti5O12/C nanohybrid have been significantly improved. The enhanced electrochemical performance is due to the unique structure feature, where the supersmall LTO nanoparticles are homogeneously embedded in the continuous carbon matrix. Good tap density is also achieved with the LTO/C nanohybrid due to its hierarchical micro-/nanohybrid structure, which is even higher than that of the commercial LTO powder.

Facile Scalable Synthesis of TiO2/Carbon Nanohybrids with Ultrasmall TiO2 Nanoparticles Homogeneously Embedded in Carbon Matrix.

A facile scalable synthesis of TiO2/C nanohybrids inspired by polymeric dental restorative materials has been developed, which creates ultrasmall TiO2 nanoparticles homogeneously embedded in the carbon matrix. The average size of the nanoparticles is tuned between about 1 and 5 nm with the carbon content systematically increased from 0% to 65%. Imaging analysis and a scattering technique have been applied to investigate the morphology of the TiO2 nanoparticles. The composition, nature of carbon matrix, crystallinity, and tap density of the TiO2/C nanohybrids have been studied. The application of the TiO2/C nanohybrids as lithium-ion battery anode is demonstrated. Unusual discharge/charge profiles have been exhibited, where characteristic discharge/charge plateaus of crystalline TiO2 are significantly diminished. The tap density, cyclic capacities, and rate performance at high current densities (10 C, 20 C) of the TiO2/C nanohybrid anodes have been effectively improved compared to the bare carbon anode and the TiO2/C nanohybrids with larger particle size.

Green facile scalable synthesis of titania/carbon nanocomposites: new use of old dental resins.

A green facile scalable method inspired by polymeric dental restorative composite is developed to synthesize TiO2/carbon nanocomposites for manipulation of the intercalation potential of TiO2 as lithium-ion battery anode. Poorly crystallized TiO2 nanoparticles with average sizes of 4-6 nm are homogeneously embedded in carbon matrix with the TiO2 mass content varied between 28 and 65%. Characteristic discharge/charge plateaus of TiO2 are significantly diminished and voltage continues to change along with proceeding discharge/charge process. The tap density, gravimetric and volumetric capacities, and cyclic and rate performance of the TiO2/C composites are effectively improved.