Electrochemistry of anatase titanium dioxide in lithium nonaqueous cells

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of anatase TiO₂ (>10⁸ ohm cm) was examined in 1M LiClO₄-propylene carbonate/tetrahydrofuran solution at 30 °C. The Li/anatase TiO₂ cell showed a stable working voltage of 1.780± 0.005 V under a low continuous drain below 20 mA g⁻¹. The high rate performance (ca. 700 mA g⁻¹), without the addition of any conductive binders, was also demonstrated in laboratory cells. The reaction mechanism of anatase TiO₂ in lithium nonaqueous cells is discussed, in terms of topotactic lithium insertion into the anatase TiO₂ matrix up to 1 Fr mole⁻¹, using X-ray diffraction, in situ optical and electrochemical data.