Ti3C2Tx MXene coated 3D ordered macroporous germanium anodes for Li-ion batteries with enhanced cycling stability and fast Li-ion mobility

The current trend in electronic device development and electric vehicle technology has resulted in A growing need for negative electrode materials that possess high capacity and quick Li-ion transport properties. Ge-based materials are considered the very promising candidates owing to their high theoretical capacity and facile alloying reaction with Li. In order to enhance the rate of Li-ion diffusion and account for the volume change of over 300 %, a Ti₃C₂T_x MXene coated 3D ordered macroporous germanium (3DOM Ge@MXene) structure was successfully developed. The 3DOM Ge@MXene provides a 1490 mAh g⁻¹ initial reversible capacity at 0.32 A g⁻¹. Additionally, after 100 cycles, it displays a consistent cycling ability of 1034 mAh g⁻¹. The MXene coating also improves the material's Li-ion rapid transfer performance, with Li-ion diffusion coefficient of 1.35 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹ for anodic and 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹ for cathodic.