Structural engineering of hierarchical micro-nanostructured Ge–C framework by controlling the nucleation for ultralong-life Li storage

Abstract

The rational design of a proper electrode structure with high energy and power densities, long cycling lifespan, and low cost still remains a significant challenge for developing advanced energy storage systems. Germanium is a highly promising anode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries due to its large specific capacity and remarkable rate capability. Nevertheless, poor cycling stability and high price significantly limit its practical application. Herein, a facile and scalable structural engineering strategy is proposed by controlling the nucleation to fabricate a unique hierarchical micro-nanostructured Ge–C framework, featuring high tap density, reduced Ge content, superb structural stability, and a 3D conductive network. The constructed architecture has demonstrated outstanding reversible capacity of 1541.1 mA h g⁻¹ after 3000 cycles at 1000 mA g⁻¹ (with 99.6% capacity retention), markedly exceeding all the reported Ge–C electrodes regarding long cycling stability. Notably, the assembled full cell exhibits superior performance as well. The work paves the way to constructing novel metal–carbon materials with high performance and low cost for energy-related applications.