Lithium Titanate (LTO)

Lithium titanate (LTO, $Li_4Ti_5O_12$) is a material that has been explored as an alternative to graphite for use as the anode in lithium-ion batteries. LTO has several unique properties that make it an attractive anode material for lithium-ion batteries, including a high capacity for lithium-ion storage, a high rate of lithium-ion insertion and extraction, and a high level of chemical stability.

One of the main advantages of using LTO as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries is its structure which give it a high stability in the charge-discharge process. LTO has a high rate of lithium-ion insertion and extraction, which means that it can deliver power at a high rate. This makes it a good choice for high-power density applications, such as electric vehicles and power tools. Another advantage of LTO is its high level of chemical stability. LTO is resistant to degradation and does not form a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on its surface, which makes it less prone to capacity fading over time. This makes it a good choice for long-life applications, such as stationary energy storage systems.

However, there are also some challenges to using LTO as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries. One of the main challenges is that LTO has a lower capacity, LTO has a capacity for lithium-ion storage that is about half that of graphite, which limit the energy density of the battery. It also has higher voltage when compared with graphite or silicon. Additionally, LTO is relatively expensive compared to other anode materials, such as graphite. As a result, it is typically used in specialized applications where its unique properties are needed.

Technical

$Li_4Ti_5O_12$

Structure: Spinel with Fd-3m space group

Initial Capacity: ~270 mAh/g (When discharged from 2.0-0.01V)

First Reversible Capacity: ~210 mAh/g (Includes formation of SEI layer)

Theoretical Capacity : 175 mAh/g (Converts from $Li_4Ti_5O_12$ to $Li_7Ti_5O_12$)

Specific Capacity: ~170 mAh/g

Voltage: 1.5 V (Li/Li+)

References:

[1] Liu, Haodong, et al. "Elucidating the limit of Li insertion into the spinel Li4Ti5O12." ACS Materials Letters 1.1 (2019): 96-102. PDF Link