Cu3Ge/Ge@C nanocomposites crosslinked by the in situ formed carbon nanotubes for high-rate lithium storage

Abstract In a convenient and uncomplicated way, Cu 3 Ge/Ge@C nanocomposites crosslinked by the in situ formed carbon nanotubes (CNTs-Cu 3 Ge/Ge@C) is reported. In this method, carbon nanotubes are produced in situ to crosslink Cu 3 Ge/Ge@C nanocomposites by the catalysis action of nascent Cu ∗ under an acetylene atmosphere at 500 °C, in which the nascent Cu ∗ is created by the reaction between CuCl and Ge particles, Cu 3 Ge is then synchronously formed by the Ge and Cu ∗ . Investigated as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries, a high capacity retention of 1013.4 mA h g −1 is exhibited by the prepared CNTs-Cu 3 Ge/Ge@C at 0.5C after 1000 cycles and a high rate capacity of 931.7 mA h g −1 at 10C in Li-Ge half cells.