Combined Modification of Dual-Phase LiTiO-TiO by Lithium Zirconates to Optimize Rate Capabilities and Cyclability.

The low electrical conductivity and ordinary lithium-ion transfer capability of LiTiO restrict its application to some degree. In this work, dual-phase LiTiO-TiO (LTOT) was modified by composite zirconates of LiZrO, LiZrO (LZO) to boost the rate capabilities and cyclability. When the homogeneous mixture of LiNO, Zr(NO)·5HO and LTOT was roasted at 700 °C for 5 h, the obtained composite achieved a superior reversible capacity of 183.2 mAh g to the pure LiTiO after cycling at 100 mA g for 100 times due to the existence of a scrap of TiO. Meanwhile, when the composite was cycled by consecutively doubling the current density between 100 and 1600 mA g, the corresponding reversible capacities are 183.2, 179.1, 176.5, 173.3, and 169.3 mAh g, signifying the prominent rate capabilities. Even undergoing 1400 charge/discharge cycles at 500 mA g, a reversible capacity of 144.7 mAh g was still attained, denoting splendid cyclability. From a series of comparative experiments and systematic characterizations, the formation of LZO meliorated both the Li migration kinetics and electrical conductivity on account of the concomitant superficial Zr doping, responsible for the comprehensive elevation of the electrochemical performance.