Production of germanium nanoparticles via laser pyrolysis for anode materials of lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries

Germanium nanoparticles were synthesized and subjected to study as anode materials for lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries. Laser pyrolysis of GeH4 was used to produce germanium nanoparticles and the average diameter of these nanoparticles was easily controlled by regulating sensitizer gas flow rates during the process. 60 and 10 nm diameter nanoparticles were synthesized and micron-size powder was purchased and these three pure germanium powder samples were tested as the anode materials of lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries in terms of cycle retention, long term cycles and the kinetics of reactions. Experimental results showed that the smallest powder sample which is synthesized, average 10 nm, exhibited excellent performances in both kinds of batteries. According to the results, the characteristics of batteries improved as the size of germanium powder decreased consistently. Pure germanium was thoroughly investigated as an anode of metal-ion batteries with regard to its powder size. The experimental data and synthesis approach of germanium nanoparticles suggested in this research would be a good example for the utilization of elemental germanium in high performance batteries.