Preparation of Ramsdellite-type Li₂Ti₃O₇ hollow microspheres with high tap density by flame melting method as anode of Li-ion battery

Ramsdellite-type Li₂Ti₃O₇ (R-Li₂Ti₃O₇) hollow microspheres were successfully prepared for the first time by the flame melting method. The hollow microspheres are 50-120 μm in diameter and about 10 μm in shell thickness. The spherical morphology allows for a high tapping density (1.25 g cm⁻³), and the hollow structure increases the specific surface area which is beneficial to the electrochemical properties. Thus, the prepared R-Li₂Ti₃O₇ shows excellent electrochemical properties even at high tapping densities. A specific capacity of 212.1 mAh g⁻¹ can be obtained at a rate of 0.1 C, and the capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C is 94.6% with a specific capacity of 150.3 mAh g⁻¹. The flame melting method is effective for the preparation of Li₂Ti₃O₇ hollow spheres which showed good performance as the anode for lithium-ion batteries.