Hierarchical nanoporous Ge anodes for lithium-ion batteries via plasma-phase-fabricated Mg2Ge

Fan, Z., Stevenson, S. C., Mungall, A., Nishio, A., Szczesny, R., Lin, Y.-G., Chen, M., Liu, W.-R., Okada, S. and Gregory, D. H. (2022) Hierarchical nanoporous Ge anodes for lithium-ion batteries via plasma-phase-fabricated Mg2Ge. Materials Advances, 3(23), pp. 8512-8521. (doi: 10.1039/D2MA00847E)

Abstract

Deep reduction-magnesiation of GeO2 to Mg2Ge is achieved within 80 s via the microwave-induced-metal-plasma (MIMP) approach at 200 W in vacuo. A reaction mechanism can be proposed in which electrons function directly as reducing agents with germania. Almost simultaneously, interactions with electrons and Mgn+ cations promote the ultrafast nucleation of Mg2Ge. 3D hierarchical nanoarchitectures of Ge with coral-like structures and unique micro-meso-macro pore-distributions are then achieved by simple thermal dealloying of Mg2Ge in air. With outstanding porosity of almost 90%, as anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the Ge matrices are pulverisation-tolerant during cycling, accommodating volume changes and releasing stress. Reliable stability, excellent rate capability and consistently high gravimetric capacity 2–3 times that of graphite, are characteristic features of the anodes. Our method offers great scope for the sustainable, scaled-up production of nanoporous materials from oxides.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: DHG and ZF thank the University of Glasgow and the China Scholarship Council for the co-funding of a studentship for ZF.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stevenson, Dr Siobhan and Fan, Zhen and Szczesny, Dr Robert and Gregory, Professor Duncan
• Authors: Fan, Z., Stevenson, S. C., Mungall, A., Nishio, A., Szczesny, R., Lin, Y.-G., Chen, M., Liu, W.-R., Okada, S., and Gregory, D. H.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Materials Advances
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 2633-5409
• ISSN (Online): 2633-5409
• Published Online: 28 September 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Materials Advances 3(23): 8512-8521
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190912		High throughput microwave synthesis of Li-ion battery materials	Serena Corr	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/N001982/1	Chemistry