The performance of rGO/g-C3N4/LTO composite anode in li-ion battery

Over the past few centuries, the large-scale utilization of fossil fuels has led to environmental crises, including global warming and extreme weather events. To mitigate fossil fuel consumption, there is a necessity for the development of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside renewable clean energy sources, such as wind and solar energy. However, the advancement of these new energy technologies relies heavily on rechargeable batteries. Currently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most prevalent rechargeable batteries. Graphite is the most commonly used anode material in lithium-ion batteries. As an alternative to graphite, lithium titanate exhibits high thermodynamic stability due to its voltage plateau at 1.55 V vs. Li/Li+ . Owing to its negligible volume change during chargedischarge processes, lithium titanate is referred to as a zero-strain material. However, due to its low electrical conductivity, composite structures incorporating carbon derivatives - particularly graphene and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)- are frequently employed to enhance its electrochemical performance. Furthermore, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), commonly used in photocatalytic applications, serves as a material that facilitates electronhole separation in composites and stabilizes the electrode-electrolyte interface, attributed to its high chemical stability and π-conjugated structure. In this thesis study, an rGO/g-C3N4/LTO composite was synthesized. The objective was to enhance the cycling stability of LTO using g-C3N4 and to address conductivity issues through the incorporation of rGO. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties were investigated by incorporating 5% and 10% rGO@g-C3N4 into the LTO matrix.