Novel lithium titanate-graphene hybrid containing two graphene conductive frameworks for lithium-ion battery with excellent electrochemical performance

We developed a new Novel lithium titanate-graphene nanohybrid containing two graphene conductive frameworks. The unique architecture creates fast electron transfer and rapid mass transport of electrolyte. The hybrid electrode provides excellent electrochemical performances for lithium-ion batteries, including high specific capacity, outstanding rate capability and intriguing cycling stability. [Display omitted] •We reported a new LTO-graphene nanohybrid containing two graphene conductive frameworks.•One graphene framework greatly improves the electrical conductivity of LTO crystal.•Another graphene framework enhances electrical conductivity of between LTO crystals and electrolyte transport.•The unique architecture creates big tap density, ultrafast electron transfer and rapid mass transport.•The hybrid electrode provides excellent electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries. The paper reported the synthesis of lithium titanate(LTO)-graphene hybrid containing two graphene conductive frameworks (G@LTO@G). Tetrabutyl titanate and graphene were dispersed in tertbutanol and heated to reflux state by microwave irradiation. Followed by adding lithium acetate to produce LTO precursor/graphene (p-LTO/G). The resulting p-LTO/G offers homogeneous morphology and ultra small size. All graphene sheets were buried in the spherical agglomerates composed of primitive particles through the second agglomeration. The p-LTO/G was calcined to LTO@graphene (LTO@G). To obtain G@LTO@G, the LTO@G was further hybridized with graphene. The as-prepared G@LTO@G shows well-defined three-dimensional structure and hierarchical porous distribution. Its unique architecture creates big tap density, fast electron transfer and rapid electrolyte transport. As a result, the G@LTO@G provides high specific capacity (175.2mAhg−1 and 293.5mAcm−3), outstanding rate capability (155.7mAhg−1 at 10C) and intriguing cycling stability (97.2% capacity retention at 5C after 1000 cycles).