Electrochemical Lithiation of Graphene-Supported Silicon and Germanium for Rechargeable Batteries

Binder-free graphene-supported Ge nanowires, Si nanowires, and Si nanocrystals were studied for use as negative electrode materials in rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Graphene obtained from reduced graphene oxide (RGO) helped stabilize electrochemical cycling of all of the nanomaterials. However, differential capacity plots revealed competition between RGO and Si/Ge lithiation. At high Si/Ge loading (>50% w/w) and low cycle rates...