Electrochemical characterization of a Ge-based composite film fabricated as an anode material using magnetron sputtering for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Amorphous germanium and germanium-based films are sputter-deposited as anodes for lithium ion batteries. The structures of Ge and Ge–Mo composites are investigated using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface morphologies of the electrodes are observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). In order to determine the influence of inactive material in the anode, cell tests are carried out on half cells (Ge/Li metal and Ge x Mo 1 − x /Li metal) and full cells (Ge/LiCoO 2 and Ge x Mo 1 − x /LiCoO 2 ). The Ge film electrodes prepared on rough copper foil substrates showed stable capacities of 1000 mA h g − 1 over 50 cycles. The Ge 0.88 Mo 0.12 composite film electrode showed reversible gravimetric capacities of up to 1000 mA h g − 1 with 77.9% capacity retention rates of the half-cell test after 100 cycles. Therefore, it may be possible to fabricate Ge-based anode materials with high capacity and improved capacity retention. The results of this study suggest that sputtered Ge-based electrodes are promising anode materials for next generation lithium ion batteries.