Self-assembled GeO/TiCT Composites as Promising Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries.

High-capacity germanium-based anode materials are alternative materials for outstanding electrochemical performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but severe volume variation and pulverization problems during charging-discharging processes can seriously affect their electrochemical performance. In addressing this challenge, a simple strategy was used to prepare the self-assembled GeO/TiCT composite in which the GeO nanoparticles can grow directly on TiCT layers. Nanoscale GeO uniformly renucleates on the surface and interlayers of TiCT, forming the stable multiphase structure, which guarantees its excellent electrochemical performance. Electrochemical evaluation has shown that the rate capability and reversibility of GeO/TiCT are both greatly improved, which delivers a reversible discharge specific capacity of above 1400 mAh g (at 100 mA g) and a reversible specific capacity of 900 mAh g after 50 cycles while it still maintains a stable specific capacity of 725 mAh g at 5000 mA g. Furthermore, the composite exhibits an exceptionally superior rate capability, making it a good electrochemical performance anode for LIBs.