High-Energy-Density Gallium Antimonide Compound Anode and Optimized Nanocomposite Fabrication Route for Li-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are key enablers for achieving net-zero emission by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This study introduces a GaSb compound anode and optimized nanocomposite fabrication route for superior LIBs. First, to utilize the synergistic effect of Ga and Sb, their GaSb compound was synthesized using a simple thermal solid-state reaction. Furthermore, the anode performance and reaction mechanisms of GaSb and elemental Ga and Sb with Li ions are demonstrated fully using cutting-edge analysis tools. Second, two nanocomposite fabrication routes are suggested to obtain optimized GaSb anodes for LIBs: (1) reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-decorated GaSb nanocomposite (GaSb/rGO) by a chemical modification and (2) amorphous C (a-C)-decorated GaSb nanocomposite (GaSb/a-C) by a mechanical modification. Among the nanocomposites, the GaSb/a-C shows better electrochemical performance, achieved by the three-step nanoconfinement and stabilization of tiny GaSb crystallites (approximately 2–4 nm) homogeneously embedded in the carbon matrix. The proposed GaSb/a-C anode exhibits highly reversible gravimetric/volumetric capacities, long-term cyclability, and excellent high rate capabilities, which are much better than conventional graphite anodes. In this study, we provide an insight into the reaction mechanism of GaSb with Li ions and suggest a high-energy-density GaSb compound anode for LIBs.