Energy-savvy solid-state and sonochemical synthesis of lithium sodium titanate as an anode active material for Li-ion batteries

Abstract Lithium sodium titanate insertion-type anode has been synthesized by classical solid-state (dry) and an alternate solution-assisted (wet) sonochemical synthesis routes. Successful synthesis of the target compound has been realized using simple Na- and Li-hydroxide salts along with titania. In contrast to the previous reports, these energy-savvy synthesis routes can yield the final product by calcination at 650-750 °C for limited duration of 1-10 h. Owing to the restricted calcination duration (dry route for 1-2 h and wet route for 1-5 h), they yield homogeneous nanoscale lithium sodium titanate particles. Sonochemical synthesis reduces the lithium sodium titanate particle size down to 80-100 nm vis-à-vis solid-state method delivering larger (200-500 nm) particles. Independent of the synthetic methods, the end products deliver reversible electrochemical performance with reversible capacity exceeding 80 mAh·g^-1 acting as a 1.3 V anode for Li-ion batteries.