摘要：SummaryTa-doped Li2ZnTi3O8(LZTO) spheres (Li2ZnTi3-xTaxO8; wherexis the synthetic chemical input,x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07) are synthesized via solid-state reaction using mesoporous TiO2spheres as the self-template. The majority of Ta5+ions are uniformly doped into crystal lattices of LZTO through the Ti↔Ta substitution, and the rest forms the piezoelectric LiTaO3secondary phase on the surface, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction refinement, Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory, and electron microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrates that the Ta5+doping creates rapid electronic transportation channels for high Li+ion diffusion kinetics; however, the LiTaO3surface coating is beneficial to improve the electronic conductivity. At the optimalx = 0.05, Li2ZnTi3-xTaxO8spheres exhibit a reversible capacity of 90.2 mAh/g after 2000 cycles with a high coulombic efficiency of ≈100% at 5.0 A/g, thus enabling a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries with high power and energy densities.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•A facile and scalable synthesis of Ta-doped Li2ZnTi3O8spheres through solid-state reaction using mesoporous anatase TiO2spheres as the self-template•A combined experimental and theoretical study is conducted to reveal the phase behaviors of Ta-doped Li2ZnTi3O8during the cyclic charge/discharge process•Ta5+doping creates rapid electronic transportation channels for high Li+ion diffusion kinetics•A reversible capacity of 90.2 mAh/g after 2000 cycles with a high coulombic efficiency of ≈100% at 5.0 A/g is achieved using optimal Ta-doped Li2ZnTi3O8spheresEnergy systems; Energy storage; Materials synthesis; Energy materials
