A novel technique was developed to prepare Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode material for lithium secondary batteries. Solution of Ti⁴⁺ was prepared by TiCl₄ as the raw material and then the spherical precursor was prepared via an “outer gel” method. Spherical Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ powders were synthesized by sintering the mixture of spherical precursor and Li₂CO₃. The influence of temperature on performance of product was studied. The investigation of XRD, SEM and the determination
of the electrochemical properties show that the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ powders prepared by this method are spherical, narrowly distributed, well crystallized. The Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ powders also have excellent fluidity and excellent electrochemical performance.
The tap-density of the product tested is as high as 1.80g﹒cm^-3. Between 1.0 and 3.0V versus Li, the initial discharge specific capacity is as high as 160.7mAh﹒g^-1, and the discharge specific capacity of the 20 th cycle is 150.2mAh﹒g^-1. Study shows that this method is appropriate for preparing Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ with high tap-density and high electrochemical performance.