Zn2GeO4 nanorods grown on carbon cloth as high performance flexible lithium-ion battery anodes. Issue 82 (7th November 2017) - Yu, T. T.
Abstract : A novel strategy was proposed for the simultaneous preparation of a high performance flexible Zn2 GeO4 /CC electrode. The as-formed composites exhibited high reversible lithium storage capacity, long cyclability, and excellent rate capability. Abstract : To improve the electrical conductivity and cycling stability of germanium compounds as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), Zn2 GeO4 nanorods grown on carbon cloth (Zn2 GeO4 /CC) were designed and fabricated by a simple hydrothermal process combined with a post-annealing treatment. The Zn2 GeO4 /CC composites possess hierarchical porosity and a network structure. Serving as free-standing and binder-free anodes for LIBs, they exhibit high specific capacity and excellent reversibility. A discharge capacity as high as 1851.9 mA h g −1 is attained at a current density of 200 mA g −1, and the Zn2 GeO4 /CC electrode still maintains a high reversible capacity of 1302.3 mA h g −1 after 200 cycles. Even at a high specific current of 2000 mA g −1, it still retains a capacity of 847.5 mA h g −1 . The superior electrochemical performance of the Zn2 GeO4 /CC composites is attributed to the synergistic effects of the hierarchical porosity, Zn2 GeO4 nanorods, and 3D carbon cloth network structure, which can effectively accommodate the huge volume change of the Zn2 GeO4 nanorods during cycling and maintain perfect electrical conductivity throughout the electrode. Moreover, the excellent mechanical flexibility of the Zn2 GeO4 /CC composites makes the material a promising candidate for self-supported and flexible electrodes for LIBs.