Enhanced Performance of "Flower-like" Li4Ti5O12 Motifs as Anode Materials for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

“Flower‐like” motifs of Li4Ti5O12 were synthesized by using a facile and large‐scale hydrothermal process involving unique Ti foil precursors followed by a short, relatively low‐temperature calcination in air. Moreover, a detailed time‐dependent growth mechanism and a reasonable reaction scheme were proposed to clearly illustrate and highlight the structural evolution and subsequent formation of this material. Specifically, the resulting “flower‐like” Li4Ti5O12 microspheres consisting of thin nanosheets provide for an enhanced surface area and a reduced lithium‐ion diffusion distance. The high surface areas of the exposed roughened, thin petal‐like component nanosheets are beneficial for the interaction of the electrolyte with Li4Ti5O12, which thereby ultimately provides for improved high‐rate performance and favorable charge/discharge dynamics. Electrochemical studies of the as‐prepared nanostructured Li4Ti5O12 clearly revealed their promising potential as an enhanced anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, as they present both excellent rate capabilities (delivering 148, 141, 137, 123, and 60 mAh g−1 under discharge rates of 0.2, 10, 20, 50, and 100 C, at cycles of 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70, respectively) and stable cycling performance (exhibiting a capacity retention of ≈97 % from cycles 10–100, under a discharge rate of 0.2 C, and an impressive capacity retention of ≈87 % by using a more rigorous discharge rate of 20 C from cycles 101–300). Stop and smell the flowers: 3 D hierarchical flower‐shape Li4Ti5O12 motifs are synthesized by using a facile and rapid hydrothermal process involving short reaction times, relatively low reaction temperatures, and reusable and recyclable Ti precursors. The resulting Li4Ti5O12 electrodes exhibit remarkably high rate capability and cycling stability as compared with analogous, previously reported motifs.