A Germanium–Carbon Nanocomposite Material for Lithium Batteries

A facile approach to prepare carbon-germanium composite nanoscale spheres with Ge nanoparticles encapsulated by a carbon matrix (see figure) is developed. The method involves solid-state pyrolysis of an intermediate thermally polymerized from tetraallylgermane. The composite exhibits a highly stable and reversible capacity of about 900 mA h g−1 and improved rate performance as an anode material in a Li secondary battery.