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 Li₂GeO₃as a new type of high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries is reported. The Li₂GeO₃exhibits 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⁻¹after 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⁻¹and 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.