Optimization of ZnO-nanorods addition toward Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) performance using sol-gel solid state method as half-cell lithium-ion battery anode

Performance optimization for the anode of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can be conducted by adding ZnO through sol-gel solid-state reaction. In this research, the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) used was synthesized through the sol-gel solid-state process and added with ZnOnanorods obtained ZnO synthesis after LTO synthesis done. LTO-ZnO obtained was characterized to determine the main phase and chemical composition by XRD and SEM-EDS respectively. Electrochemical performance of LTO-ZnO was tested by EIS, CV, and CD. ZnOnanorods characterization with SEM-EDS results shows that the ZnO inside the LTO dispersed homogeneously. Characterization using XRD revealed that the ZnO successfully enter the LTO with the variation of the amount of 4, 7, and 10 wt% of ZnO. Electric conductivity test shows improvement at an optimum addition amount of ZnO at 4 wt%, although BET result shows at the optimum amount of surface area with 75.545 m2/g. Electrochemical performance result shows optimum performance in ZnO at 4 wt% for its ability to withstand EIS test at 20C compared to 7 wt% and 10 wt%. Also, the capacity of 4 wt% added is 110.2 mAh/g compared to 7 wt% with 109.1 mAh/g and 10 wt% with 96.7 mAh/g.