Synthesis of pseudobrookite-type Fe ₂TiO ₅ nanoparticles and their Li-ion electroactivity

Phase-pure pseudobrookite Fe ₂TiO ₅ (FTO) powders with orthorhombic structures were synthesized using ball-milling (BM) and hydrothermal (HT) processes followed by thermal calcination for 2 h at 1200 and 900 °C, respectively. The morphological features and crystalline structures were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. On the basis of these analyses, it was found that the calcination temperature and particle size of pure FTO could be reduced markedly when the HT method was employed. Furthermore, we have demonstrated for the first time the possibility of applying the pure FTO material as a Li-ion battery anode.