Electrochemical behavior of a lithium titanium spinel compound synthesized via a sol–gel process

Abstract

The synthesis and the structural features of a mixed lithium titanium spinel Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ obtained via a sol–gel process in non-aqueous media are reported. Electrochemical lithium insertion occurs in one reduction process located at 1.550 V, and corresponds to the insertion of 1 Li per Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ (150 A h kg^–1) in octahedral sites. During cycling experiments performed at discharge–charge rates of C/20, a stabilization of the specific capacity around 105 A h kg^–1 (0.7 F mol^–1) occurs after the 20th cycle.