Issue 3, 2018

CTAB-assisted growth of self-supported Zn2GeO4 nanosheet network on a conductive foam as a binder-free electrode for long-life lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The Ge-based compounds show great potential as replacements for traditional graphite anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, large volume changes and low conductivity of such materials result in a poor electrochemical cycling and rate performance. Herein, we fabricate a self-supported and three-dimensional (3D) sponge-like structure of interlinked Zn2GeO4 ultrathin nanosheets anchored vertically on a nickel foam (ZGO NSs@NF) via a simple hydrothermal process assisted by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Such robust self-supported hybrid structures greatly improve the structural tolerance of the active materials and accommodate the volume variation that occurs during repeated electrochemical cycling. As expected, the self-supported ZGO NSs@NF composites demonstrate an excellent lithium storage with a high discharge capacity, a long cycling life, and a good rate capability when used as binder-free anodes for LIBs. A high reversible discharge capacity of 794 mA h g−1 is maintained after 500 cycles at 200 mA g−1, corresponding to 81% capacity retention of the second cycle. Further evaluation at a higher current density (2 A g−1) also delivers a reversible discharge capacity (537 mA h g−1) for this binder-free anode. This novel 3D structure of the self-supported ultrathin nanosheets on a conductive substrate, with its volume buffer effect and good interfacial contacts, can stimulate the progress of other energy-efficient technologies.

Graphical abstract: CTAB-assisted growth of self-supported Zn2GeO4 nanosheet network on a conductive foam as a binder-free electrode for long-life lithium-ion batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
24 7 2017
Accepted
06 11 2017
First published
07 11 2017

Nanoscale, 2018,10, 921-929

CTAB-assisted growth of self-supported Zn2GeO4 nanosheet network on a conductive foam as a binder-free electrode for long-life lithium-ion batteries

G. Gao, Y. Xiang, S. Lu, B. Dong, S. Chen, L. Shi, Y. Wang, H. Wu, Z. Li, A. Abdelkader, K. Xi and S. Ding, Nanoscale, 2018, 10, 921 DOI: 10.1039/C7NR05407F

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