• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2017

$M_2GeO_4$ (M = Co, Fe and Ni) was synthesized as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries and its electrochemical characteristics were investigated. The $Fe_2GeO_4$ electrode exhibited an initial discharge capacity of $1127.8mAh\;g^{-1}$ and better capacity retention than $Co_2GeO_4$ and $Ni_2GeO_4$. A diffusion coefficient of lithium ion in the $Fe_2GeO_4$ electrode was measured to be $12.7{\times}10^{-8}cm^2s^{-1}$, which was higher than those of the other two electrodes. The electrochemical performance of the $Fe_2GeO_4$ electrode was improved by coating carbon onto the surface of $Fe_2GeO_4$ particles. The carbon-coated $Fe_2GeO_4$ electrode delivered a high initial discharge capacity of $1144.9mAh\;g^{-1}$ with good capacity retention. The enhanced cycling performance was mainly attributed to the carbon-coated layer that accommodates the volume change of the active materials and improves the electronic conductivity. Our results demonstrate that the carbon-coated $Fe_2GeO_4$ can be a promising anode material for achieving high energy density lithium-ion batteries.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.161-171
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• 2015

High-yield zinc germanium oxide ($Zn_2GeO_4$) and zinc tin oxide ($Zn_2SnO_4$) nanowires were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. We investigated the electrochemical properties of these $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires as anode materials of lithium ion battery and sodium ion battery. The $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires showed excellent cycling performance of the lithium ion battery, with a maximum capacity of 1021 mAh/g and 692 mAh/g after 50 cycles, respectively, with a high Coulomb efficiency of 98 %. For the first time, we examined the cycling performance of $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires for sodium ion batteries. The maximum capacity is 168 mAh/g and 200 mAh/g after 50 cycles, respectively, with a high Coulomb efficiency of 97%. These nanowires are expected as promising electrode materials for the development of high-performance lithium ion batteries as well as sodium ion batteries.