Germanium-based complex derived porous GeO2 nanoparticles for building high performance Li-ion batteries

Germanium-based materials possess promising potential as novel anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the considerably huge volume change causes rapid capacity fade during the charge-discharge process. A simple strategy was devised to prepare porous GeO 2 nanoparticles via thermal decomposition of (Hbipy) 2 [Ge(C 2 O 4 ) 3 ]·2H 2 O in air atmosphere. As an anode material for LIBs, it shows superior electrochemical performance in comparison with commercial GeO 2 microparticles . The initial discharge capacity of porous GeO 2 nanoparticles is high to 2578.8   mA   h/g, and it still retained 581.9   mA   h/g after 100 cycles. Even at 2   A/g, a reversible discharge capacity of 184.2   mA   h/g is yet obtained. The superior lithium storage performances should be chalked up to the positive synergism of nanoscale, porous structure and low crystalline nature, which effectively retard the huge volume change of GeO 2 and are beneficial for fast diffusion of lithium ions during cycling.