In situ synthesis of GeO2/reduced graphene oxide composite on Ni foam substrate as a binder-free anode for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A GeO₂/RGO composite was successfully fabricated via alternating deposition of graphene oxide (GO) and GeO₂ on the surface of a Ni foam substrate using a facile dip-coating method cooperated with in situ hydrolysis of GeCl₄. This material was directly used as a binder-free anode for LIBs and exhibited high reversible capacity (1716 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, 702 mA h g⁻¹ at 16 A g⁻¹), good cycling performance (1159 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ after 500 cycles) and excellent rate capability. In addition, a reversible capacity as high as 621 mA h g⁻¹ can be retained when cycled to 500 cycles at a rate as high as 8 A g⁻¹.