Role of gelatin and chitosan cross-linked aqueous template in controlling the size of lithium titanium oxide

Abstract Significant safety advantages of lithium titanium oxide (LTO) over currently used graphite for lithium-ion batteries have been attracting scientists to develop novel synthetic methods of this anode material in order to combine with another cathode. This study utilizes self-sacrificing cross-linked aqueous templates of gelatin and chitosan polymer to control lithium titanium oxide (LTO) morphology and microstructure. Gelatin and chitosan self-assembled aqueous template containing LTO precursors has been evaporated at 110 °C and then calcined at 750 °C in a muffle furnace to synthesize white color LTO powder. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized LTO powders. Both XRD and EDS spectrum confirm the coating of gelatin and chitosan derived carbon species on the surface of LTO materials. The detailed characterization reveals that increasing the amount of gelatin to the mass ratio of gelatin and chitosan reduced LTO particle sizes. Thus, a size controlled carbon coating LTO preparation strategy have been established via gelatin and chitosan cross-linked aqueous template in controlling the morphology and microstructure of LTO material.