Issue 4, 2024

Binder-free germanium nanoparticle decorated multi-wall carbon nanotube anodes prepared via two-step electrophoretic deposition for high capacity Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Germanium (Ge) has a high theoretical specific capacity (1384 mA h g−1) and fast lithium-ion diffusivity, which makes it an attractive anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, large volume changes during lithiation can lead to poor capacity retention and rate capability. Here, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is used as a facile strategy to prepare Ge nanoparticle carbon-nanotube (Ge/CNT) electrodes. The Ge and CNT mass ratio in the Ge/CNT nanocomposites can be controlled by varying the deposition time, voltage, and concentration of the Ge NP dispersion in the EPD process. The optimized Ge/CNT nanocomposite exhibited long-term cyclic stability, with a capacity of 819 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at C/5 and a reversible capacity of 686 mA h g−1 after 350 cycles (with a minuscule capacity loss of 0.07% per cycle) at 1C. The Ge/CNT nanocomposite electrodes delivered dramatically improved cycling stability compared to control Ge nanoparticles. This can be attributed to the synergistic effects of implanting Ge into a 3D interconnected CNT network which acts as a buffer layer to accommodate the volume expansion of Ge NPs during lithiation/delithiation, limiting cracking and/or crumbling, to retain the integrity of the Ge/CNT nanocomposite electrodes.

Graphical abstract: Binder-free germanium nanoparticle decorated multi-wall carbon nanotube anodes prepared via two-step electrophoretic deposition for high capacity Li-ion batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
11 11 2023
Accepted
05 2 2024
First published
13 2 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Nanoscale Horiz., 2024,9, 637-645

Binder-free germanium nanoparticle decorated multi-wall carbon nanotube anodes prepared via two-step electrophoretic deposition for high capacity Li-ion batteries

X. Pham, S. Abdul Ahad, N. N. Patil, H. Geaney, S. Singh and K. M. Ryan, Nanoscale Horiz., 2024, 9, 637 DOI: 10.1039/D3NH00501A

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