Hierarchical GeP/Carbon Nanocomposite with Dual-Carbon Conductive Network as Promising Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Due to the Earth's scarcity of lithium, replacing lithium with earth-abundant and low-cost sodium for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) has recently become a promising substitute for lithium-ion batteries. However, the shortage of appropriate anode materials limits the development of SIBs. Here, a dual-carbon conductive network enhanced GeP (GeP/acetylene black/partially reduced graphene oxide sheets (GeP/AB/p-rGO)) composite is successfully prepared by a facile ball milling method. The dual-carbon network not only provides more transport pathways for electrons but also relaxes the huge volume change of the electrode material during the charge/discharge process. Compared with only AB- or GO-modified GeP (GeP/AB or GeP/GO) composite, the GeP/AB/p-rGO composite shows a superior sodium storage performance with an excellent rate and cycle performance. It delivers a high reversible capacity of 597.5 and 175 mAh/g at the current density of 0.1 and 5.0 A/g, respectively. Furthermore, at the current density of 0.5 A/g, the GeP/AB/p-rGO composite shows the reversible capacity of 400 mAh/g after 50 cycles with a little capacity attenuation. All above results prove that the GeP/AB/p-rGO composite has a good prospect of application as an anode material for SIBs.