Lithium storage in amorphous TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles

Journal article (2010)

Authors

Wouter J.H. Borghols Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at FRM II
D. Lützenkirchen-Hecht Bergische Universität Wuppertal
Ullrich Haake Bergische Universität Wuppertal
U.L. Lafont Novel Aerospace Materials - Aerospace Engineering
E.M. Kelder RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy - AS
Ernst R.H. van Eck Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
Arno P.M. Kentgens Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
F.M. Mulder ChemE/Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage - AS
M. Wagemaker RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy - AS
Research Group
RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy (AS) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

27-04-2010

Language

English

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

RST/Radiation, Science and Technology

Research Group

RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy

Abstract

Amorphous titanium oxide nanoparticles were prepared from titanium isopropoxide. In situ measurements reveal an extraordinary high capacity of 810 mAh/g on the first discharge. Upon cycling at a charge/discharge rate of 33.5 mA/g, this capacity gradually decreases to 200 mAh/g after 50 cycles. The origin of this fading was investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. These measurements reveal that a large fraction of the total amount of the consumed Li atoms is due to the reaction of H2 O/OH species adsorbed at the surface to Li2 O, explaining the irreversible capacity loss. The reversible capacity of the bulk, leading to the Li0.5 TiO2 composition, does not explain the relatively large reversible capacity, implying that part of Li2 O at the TiO2 surface may be reversible. The high reversible capacity, also at large (dis)charge rates up to 3.35 A/g (10C), makes this amorphous titanium oxide material suitable as a low cost electrode material in a high power battery.