In‐Situ Templating Growth of Homeostatic GeP Nano‐Bar Corals with Fast Electron‐Ion Transportation Pathways for High Performance Li‐ion Batteries

We propose an in situ template method to directionally induce the construction of germanium phosphide nanobar (GeP‐nb) corals with an adjustable aspect ratio. The GeP nanobars grown onto conductive matrix with high aspect ratio expose more quickest electron‐ion transportation facets for fast reaction dynamics. The customized GeP‐nb electrode delivers a self‐healable homeostatic behavior by reversibly stabilizing GeP crystalline structure through multi‐phase reactions to maintain structural integrity and cycling stability (850 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 500 cycles). As a result, the GeP‐nb presents the highest Li+ diffusion coefficient (6.21×10−11 cm2 s−1) among all the Ge‐based anode materials studied so far, rendering an excellent rate performance (620 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) as a lithium‐ion battery (LIB) anode. An in situ template method is proposed to directionally induce the construction of corals of GeP nanobars featuring high aspect ratio, plentiful exposed facets for rapid Li+ transport, and a self‐healable homeostatic ability to maintain structural integrity and cycling stability.