A unique sandwich-structured C/Ge/graphene nanocomposite as an anode material for high power lithium ion batteries

Abstract

A unique sandwich-structured C/Ge/graphene composite with germanium nanoparticles trapped between graphene sheets is prepared by a microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction followed by carbon coating and thermal reduction. The graphene sheets are found to be effective in hindering the growth and aggregation of GeO₂ nanoparticles. More importantly, the graphene sheets, coupled with the carbon coating, can buffer the volume changes of germanium in electrochemical lithium reactions. The unique sandwich structure features a highly conductive network of carbon, which can improve both the conductivity and the structural stability of the electrode material, and exemplifies a promising strategy for the development of new high performance electrode materials for lithium ion batteries.