Abstract
In the present study, a nanocrystalline GeO2/C core shell was synthesized by a cost-effective and simple citric-gel method for various parameters, and the effects of these parameters on the microstructural and electrochemical properties of the GeO2/C core shell were investigated. Thermo-gravimetric-analysis showed that the combustion of gel-complexes occurred in the temperature range from 178 to 247 C. Among the samples pre-heated at 150 C, the sample pre-heated for 4 h had the highest surface area (11.12 m2 g-1; particle size ∼ 30 nm). TEM analysis revealed that the citric-gel synthesized GeO2 was encapsulated with carbon. This carbon encapsulation acted as a critical buffer layer against capacity degradation in the fabricated electrodes. The optimized sample showed a specific capacity of 738 mA h g-1 and maintained its reversibility after 50 cycles at a capacity of 697 mA h g-1. The electrode containing the optimized sample showed a reversible capacity of 530 mA h g-1 at 1 C rate
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 203-209 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Electrochimica Acta |
Volume | 116 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 10 Jan 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Citric-gel method
- Core-shell
- Cyclability
- Germanium dioxide
- Lithium-ion batteries