Germanium–Cobalt–Indium Nanostructures as Anodes of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Room- and Low-Temperature Performance
Sergey A. Gavrilov,
Ilya M. Gavrilin,
Irina K. Martynova,
Tatiana L. Kulova,
Evgeniya V. Kovtushenko,
Alexander M. Skundin,
Maksim V. Poliakov,
Lidiya S. Volkova,
Svetlana A. Novikova
Affiliations
Sergey A. Gavrilov
Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies, National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET), Bld. 1, Shokin Square, Zelenograd 124498, Russia
Ilya M. Gavrilin
Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4 Leninskii pr., Moscow 119071, Russia
Irina K. Martynova
Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies, National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET), Bld. 1, Shokin Square, Zelenograd 124498, Russia
Tatiana L. Kulova
Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4 Leninskii pr., Moscow 119071, Russia
Evgeniya V. Kovtushenko
Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4 Leninskii pr., Moscow 119071, Russia
Alexander M. Skundin
Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31-4 Leninskii pr., Moscow 119071, Russia
Maksim V. Poliakov
Institute of Nanotechnology of Microelectronics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32A Leninsky Prospekt, Moscow 119991, Russia
Lidiya S. Volkova
Institute of Nanotechnology of Microelectronics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32A Leninsky Prospekt, Moscow 119991, Russia
Svetlana A. Novikova
Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 31 Leninskii pr., Moscow 119991, Russia
Germanium–cobalt–indium nanostructures were synthesized via cathodic electrodeposition from aqueous complex solutions of Ge (IV) and Co (II) with drop-like indium crystallization centers. This approach features simplicity, avoids heating and allows using cheaper GeO2 instead of pure Ge as starting material. Further, in this case, target nanostructures grow directly upon the substrate. Various analytical methods (scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction) were used for characterization of the nanostructures under study. The samples obtained consist of an array of globular particles of 200 to 800 nm, with nanowires in between. The globules, in turn, contain primary particles of 5 to 10 nm consisting of cobalt, germanium and oxygen. Nanowires consist of germanium and indium. The electrochemical properties of the above-mentioned nanostructures were assessed with cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. The germanium–cobalt–indium nanostructures are characterized by a high specific capacity upon lithium insertion, which is approximately 1350 mAh/g at C/8, and a high Coulomb cycling efficiency in the first cycle (approximately 0.76). Germanium–cobalt–indium nanostructures show the ability to operate at high rates up to 16 C at a wide temperature range from +20 to −35 °C.