Influence of Annealing Temperature on the Nanostructural Formation of Ti4Ti5O12 Lithium Battery Anode Material

In this study, Li
4
Ti
5
O
12
(LTO) was synthesized by the sol-gel method, and the influence of the annealing temperature on the formation of the spinel structure of the material was studied for its use as anode material in lithium batteries. The structures of the synthesized materials were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the morphology, by scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). LTO nanocrystals with a particle size between 24 and 35 nm joined in highly porous agglomerates were obtained. LTO nanocrystals with TiO
2
impurities in their anatase and rutile phases were obtained at temperatures below 700 °C, diffusing from this temperature and obtaining higher purity LTO nanocrystals in the spinel phase at temperatures above 750 °C. The lattice parameter calculations confirm the successful formation of the material.