Smart hybrids of Zn₂GeO₄ nanoparticles and ultrathin gC₃N₄ layers: Synergistic lithium storage and excellent electrochemical performance

Smart hybrids of Zn 2 GeO 4 nanoparticles and ultrathin g-C 3 N 4 layers
(Zn 2 GeO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrids) are realized by a facile solution approach, where
g-C 3 N 4 layers act as an effective substrate for the nucleation and subsequent
in situ growth of Zn 2 GeO 4 nanoparticles. A synergistic effect is demonstrated
on the two building blocks of Zn 2 GeO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrids for lithium storage:
Zn 2 GeO 4 nanoparticles contribute high capacity and serve as spacers to
isolate the ultrathin g-C 3 N 4 layers from restacking, resulting in expanded
interlayer and exposed vacancies with doubly bonded nitrogen for extra Li-ion
storage and diffusion pathway; 2D g-C 3 N 4 layers, in turn, minimize the strain
of particles expansion and prevent the formation of unstable solid electrolyte
interphase, leading to highly reversible lithium storage. Benefi ting from the
remarkable synergy, the Zn 2 GeO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrids exhibit highly reversible
capacity of 1370 mA h g −1 at 200 mA g −1 after 140 cycles and excellent rate
capability of 950 mA h g −1 at 2000 mA g −1 . The synergistic effect originating
from the hybrids brings out excellent electrochemical performance, and thus
casts new light on the development of high-energy and high-power anode
materials.