A composite based on sodium germanate and reduced graphene oxide: Synthesis from peroxogermanate and application as anode material for lithium ion batteries

A composite based on sodium germanate and reduced graphene oxide was obtained for the first time by precipitating the initial peroxogermanate on a graphene oxide followed by heat treatment in vacuum. According to powder X-ray diffraction, sodium germanate crystallizes during the heat treatment in vacuum at 500°C. Scanning transmission electron microscopy examination showed that sodium peroxogermanate nanoparticles form a thin film on the surface of graphene oxide flakes. The electrochemical characteristics of composites obtained with different heat treatment conditions were studied as the anodes of lithium ion batteries.