Solution-Grown Germanium Nanowire Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Solution-grown germanium (Ge) nanowires were tested as high capacity anodes in lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. Nanowire films were formulated and cast as slurries with conductive carbon (7:1 Ge:C w/w), PVdF binder and 1.0 M LiPF(6) dissolved in various solvents as electrolyte. The addition of fluorethylene carbonate (FEC) to the electrolyte was critical to achieving stable battery cycling and reversible capacities as high as 1248 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles, which is close to the theoretical capacity of 1,384 mA h g(-1). Ge nanowire anodes also exhibited high rate capability, with reversible cycling above 600 mA h g(-1) for 1200 cycles at a rate of 1C. The batteries could also be discharged at 10C with a capacity of 900 mA h g(-1) when charged at 1C.