Preparation of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ Microspheres with a Pure Cr₂O₃ Coating Layer and its Effect for Lithium Storage

The pure Cr₂O₃ coated Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ microspheres were prepared by a facile and cheap solution-based method with basic chromium(III) nitrate solution (pH=11.9). And their Li-storage properties were investigated as anode materials for lithium rechargeable batteries. The pure Cr₂O₃ works as an adhesive interface to strengthen the connections between Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ particles, providing more electric conduction channels, and reduce the inter-particle resistance. Moreover, Li_xCr₂O₃, formed by the lithiation of Cr₂O₃, can further stabilize Li₇Ti₅O₁₂ with high electric conductivity on the surface of particles. While in the acid chromium solution (pH=3.2) modification, besides Cr₂O₃, Li₂CrO₄ and TiO₂ phases were also found in the final product. Li₂CrO₄ is toxic and the presence of TiO₂ is not welcome to improve the electrochemical performance of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ microspheres. The reversible capacity of 1% Cr₂O₃-coated sample with the basic chromium solution modification was 180 mAh/g at 0.1 C, and 134 mAh/g at 10 C. Moreover, it was even as high as 127 mAh/g at 5 C after 600 cycles. At −20 °C, its reversible specific capacity was still as high as 118 mAh/g.