Issue 23, 2022

Hierarchical nanoporous Ge anodes for lithium-ion batteries via plasma-phase-fabricated Mg2Ge

Abstract

Deep reduction-magnesiation of GeO2 to Mg2Ge is achieved within 80 s via the microwave-induced-metal-plasma (MIMP) approach at 200 W in vacuo. A reaction mechanism can be proposed in which electrons function directly as reducing agents with germania. Almost simultaneously, interactions with electrons and Mgn+ cations promote the ultrafast nucleation of Mg2Ge. 3D hierarchical nanoarchitectures of Ge with coral-like structures and unique micro-meso-macro pore-distributions are then achieved by simple thermal dealloying of Mg2Ge in air. With outstanding porosity of almost 90%, as anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the Ge matrices are pulverisation-tolerant during cycling, accommodating volume changes and releasing stress. Reliable stability, excellent rate capability and consistently high gravimetric capacity 2–3 times that of graphite, are characteristic features of the anodes. Our method offers great scope for the sustainable, scaled-up production of nanoporous materials from oxides.

Graphical abstract: Hierarchical nanoporous Ge anodes for lithium-ion batteries via plasma-phase-fabricated Mg2Ge

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Jul 2022
Accepted
27 Sep 2022
First published
28 Sep 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 8512-8521

Hierarchical nanoporous Ge anodes for lithium-ion batteries via plasma-phase-fabricated Mg2Ge

Z. Fan, S. C. Stevenson, A. Mungall, A. Nishio, R. Szczęsny, Y. Lin, M. Chen, W. Liu, S. Okada and D. H. Gregory, Mater. Adv., 2022, 3, 8512 DOI: 10.1039/D2MA00847E

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