Lithium germanate (Li2GeO3): a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A simple, cost-effective, and easily scalable molten salt method for the preparation of Li2 GeO3 as a new type of high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries is reported. The Li2 GeO3 exhibits a unique porous architecture consisting of micrometer-sized clusters (secondary particles) composed of numerous nanoparticles (primary particles) and can be used directly without further carbon coating which is a common exercise for most electrode materials. The new anode displays superior cycling stability with a retained charge capacity of 725 mAh g(-1) after 300 cycles at 50 mA g(-1) . The electrode also offers excellent rate capability with a capacity recovery of 810 mAh g(-1) (94 % retention) after 35 cycles of ascending steps of current in the range of 25-800 mA g(-1) and finally back to 25 mA g(-1) . This work emphasizes the importance of exploring new electrode materials without carbon coating as carbon-coated materials demonstrate several drawbacks in full devices. Therefore, this study provides a method and a new type of anode with high reversibility and long cycle stability.