A germanium nanoparticles/molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanocomposite as a high-capacity, high-rate anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A facile synthesis of Ge/MoS₂ nanocomposites is developed by blending Ge nanoparticles into MoS₂ nanosheets in solution at room temperature followed by annealing at 350 °C. The decoration with Ge nanoparticles in this compound can synergistically improve the electrochemical performance of LIBs because of increased conductivity and structure stability. Ge/MoS₂ nanocomposites exhibit a high reversible capacity of 1362 mA h g⁻¹ cycled at 0.2 A g⁻¹ after 50 cycles. Even at high rate capability (>1 A g⁻¹), the battery performance of Ge/MoS₂ from 0.2 A g⁻¹ to 15 A g⁻¹ is superior to the performances of the reported graphene-based and other nanoparticle-decorated MoS₂ anodes. Finally, a coin-type full-cell with a high areal capacity (∼3 mA h cm⁻²) and a high volumetric capacity (∼1700 mA h cm⁻³) was also achieved with a Ge/MoS₂ anode and a Li(MnCoNi)O₂ cathode.