4
manufacturer-indicated cell type (Li4Ti5O12 LTO). (Note:
Lithium could not be detected because the SEM was not
equipped with a windowless EDS detector that measures
very light elements.) This composition is widely used in
commercial lithium-ion batteries [17, 18] and is considered
to enhance battery safety through its excellent cycling sta-
bility. Specifically, this composition does not swell or con-
tract significantly during charging and discharging, which
prevents an internal short circuit [19].
A small amount of carbon (Figure 5a) was pres-
ent in the conductive filler (nanoparticle aggregates) and
binder (film covering microparticles) (Figure 6a) of the
LTO anode. Carbon fillers may have been incorporated
to improve the relatively low electrical conductivity of the
LTO anode [20]. Electrical conductivity and ionic conduc-
tivity are also enhanced by small LTO particle sizes [19].
The approximate size of the LTO particles in the current
study was 420 ±120 nm. This size range was shown to have
better electrochemical properties (greater specific capacity
and rate capability) than larger particles [21, 22]. Particle
size did not substantially influence thermal stability or the
ability to resist decomposition at high temperatures [23].
Thermal stability may be more dependent on the cathode
than the anode composition [24].
The cathode contained cobalt and manganese in an
apparent ratio of 1:1 (Figure 5b) in the Lithium Cobalt
Manganese Oxide (LCMO) cells. This composition is
much less common than cathodes of nickel, manganese,
and cobalt. The LCMO composition has received attention
in the last few years due to its potential as a high-voltage (5
V) cathode [25, 26]. However, when the LCMO cathode is
paired with an LTO anode, the voltage plateau of the LTO
limits the entire cell voltage [20, 27]. An LCMO cathode
Figure 4. Experimental setup for LTO battery TR Pressure and Volume Study
Figure 5. EDS spectra of LTO cell (a) anode, (b) cathode,
and (c) separator [16]
manufacturer-indicated cell type (Li4Ti5O12 LTO). (Note:
Lithium could not be detected because the SEM was not
equipped with a windowless EDS detector that measures
very light elements.) This composition is widely used in
commercial lithium-ion batteries [17, 18] and is considered
to enhance battery safety through its excellent cycling sta-
bility. Specifically, this composition does not swell or con-
tract significantly during charging and discharging, which
prevents an internal short circuit [19].
A small amount of carbon (Figure 5a) was pres-
ent in the conductive filler (nanoparticle aggregates) and
binder (film covering microparticles) (Figure 6a) of the
LTO anode. Carbon fillers may have been incorporated
to improve the relatively low electrical conductivity of the
LTO anode [20]. Electrical conductivity and ionic conduc-
tivity are also enhanced by small LTO particle sizes [19].
The approximate size of the LTO particles in the current
study was 420 ±120 nm. This size range was shown to have
better electrochemical properties (greater specific capacity
and rate capability) than larger particles [21, 22]. Particle
size did not substantially influence thermal stability or the
ability to resist decomposition at high temperatures [23].
Thermal stability may be more dependent on the cathode
than the anode composition [24].
The cathode contained cobalt and manganese in an
apparent ratio of 1:1 (Figure 5b) in the Lithium Cobalt
Manganese Oxide (LCMO) cells. This composition is
much less common than cathodes of nickel, manganese,
and cobalt. The LCMO composition has received attention
in the last few years due to its potential as a high-voltage (5
V) cathode [25, 26]. However, when the LCMO cathode is
paired with an LTO anode, the voltage plateau of the LTO
limits the entire cell voltage [20, 27]. An LCMO cathode
Figure 4. Experimental setup for LTO battery TR Pressure and Volume Study
Figure 5. EDS spectra of LTO cell (a) anode, (b) cathode,
and (c) separator [16]