Synthesis of Ge/C composite as an anode material for lithium ion batteries

The Ge/C composite was prepared by hydrothermal method using Germani (Ge) and carbon (C) as precursors, in which C was prepared from waste banana peel as biomass source and Ge was obtained from reduction of GeO2 by Mg at 650 oC. The synthesized composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and used as lithium ion battery anode material. The results showed that the Ge/C anode exhibited a higher capacity and stablity than those of the pure Ge. This observation can indicate that the Ge/C composite may be a new class of promising negative electrode material for lithium ion batteries in the future.