Study the Structure, Optical, and Electrochemical Properties of Germanium Oxide/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composite for Energy Storage Applications

M. Alahmadi, Mesfin A. Kebede*, Moukhtar A. Hassan, Rania Gamal, Taha A. Hanafy, Talaat A. Hameed, Ibrahim S. Yahia, Hongcai Gao, Eslam Sheha*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Germanium oxide (GeO2) nanoparticles exhibit a high theoretical discharge capacity of 2152 mAh g−1, making them promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, their practical application is hindered by severe volume expansion during charge/discharge cycles, leading to structural degradation and capacity fading. To address this challenge, GeO2/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) composite is synthesized via a modified sonochemical technique. The structural, optical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of GeO2 and GeO2/GNP composites are systematically investigated. The incorporation of GNP improves the structural integrity of GeO2 by mitigating volume changes, enhancing electronic conductivity, and increasing thermal stability. Optical studies reveal a slight bandgap widening, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirms strong interfacial interactions between GeO2 and GNP. Electrochemical evaluation demonstrates that the composite retained a discharge capacity of 181 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, significantly improving the cyclic stability of GeO2 anodes. These findings highlight the potential of GeO2/GNP composites as high-performance anode materials for energy storage applications.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPhysica Status Solidi (A) Applications and Materials Science
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • electrochemical performance
  • energy storage
  • germanium oxide
  • graphene nanoplatelets
  • lithium-ion batteries
  • optical properties

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