Mixed‐Surfactant‐Assisted Synthesis of Dual‐Phase Li4Ti5O12‐TiO2 Hierarchical Microspheres as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries.

A mixed‐surfactant‐assisted method was developed to synthesize dual‐phase Li4Ti5O12‐TiO2 hierarchical microspheres. The ratio of anionic/cationic surfactant could regulate the primary structure morphology and the dual‐phase ratio of the final product, in which the primary structure morphology could be stacked nanosheets, small nanoparticles, or large nanoparticles. The sample with a primary structure morphology of small nanoparticles had the highest specific surface area of 79.38 m2 g−1 and the best electrochemical performance because of its high Li+ migration rate, low polarization, and appropriate TiO2 content. Its capacity reached 153.5 mA h g−1 at a current rate of 40 C, and it retained nearly 100 % of its capacity after 100 cycles. A self‐assembly mechanism of the mixed surfactant was highlighted to explain the formation of hierarchical microspheres. The physical and electrochemical properties of obtained material were correlated effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]