Facile one-step fabrication of Li4Ti5O12 coatings by suspension plasma spraying

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is a promising anode material for solid state thin film batteries (SSTB) due to its almost-zero volume change and promising Li-ion mobility. However, preparing LTO anodes for SSTB demands tedious vacuum-based processing steps that are not cost effective. In this context, the present study embarks on evaluating the versatile suspension plasma spraying (SPS) approach to fabricate LTO coatings without using any binder. The microstructure and stoichiometry of the fabricated LTO coatings developed through the SPS route reveals retention of similar to 76 wt.% of the spinel LTO from the starting feedstock, with minor amounts of rutile and anatase TiO2. The SPS experiments yielded varying thickness build up rates of the LTO coatings depending on the processing parameters adopted. The electrochemical data of the produced LTO based electrode tested in a half-cell through galvanostatic cycling show reversible lithiation and delithiation at expected potential, thereby validating the promise of the SPS technique for potential fabrication of SSTB components once fully optimized.