Molten salt synthesis and characterization of Li4Ti5−xMnxO12 (x = 0.0, 0.05 and 0.1) as anodes for Li-ion batteries
Abstract Sub-micrometer sized Li 4 Ti 5− x Mn x O 12 ( x  = 0.0, 0.05 and 0.1) particles were synthesized by a single step molten salt method using LiCl–KCl as a flux. The synthesized material was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The XRD analysis revealed the particles to be highly crystalline and have a face-centered cubic spinel structure. The presence of possible functional group was confirmed through FTIR analysis. The FE-SEM images showed the particles to be polyhedral in shape with uniform size distribution. It was also revealed that there was a particle size reduction with the effect of Mn 4+ dopant ions. The electrochemical studies performed using cyclic voltammogram (CV), charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS) indicate that Li 4 Ti 4.9 Mn 0.1 O 4 possesses a better discharge capacity (305 mAh/g), cycling stability, and charge carrier conductivity than both Li 4 Ti 4.95 Mn 0.05 O 12 (265 mAh/g) and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (240 mAh/g). The cycling stability reveals that the acceptable capacity fading was observed even after 20th cycle. The results of electrochemical studies infer that Li 4 Ti 4.9 Mn 0.1 O 4 could be utilized as a suitable anode material for Li-ion batteries.